
Book^-^ 






— /- 



/ 



THE NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



JOSEPH HYDE PRATT. State Geologist. 



BULLETIN NO. 14 



/9S 



THE NATURAL HISTORY AND CULTIVATION 
OF THE DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN 



WITH NOTES ON 



OTHER FORMS OF TURTLES, 



R. E. COKER, Pn. D. 




RALEIGH: 

E. M. UzzELL & Co., State Printers and Binders. 

1906. 



^\\ 



-9 



^ 



GEOLOGICAL BOARD. 



Governor R. B. Glenn, c.r officio ClKiinnaii Raleigh. 

Henry E. Fries Winstoii-Saleiu. 

Frank R. IIewiti' Abbeville. 

Hugh MacRae Wilmingtou. 

Frank Wood Edenton. 



Joseph Hyde Pratt. State Geologist Chapel Ilill. 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Ealeigh, K C, July 1, lOOG. 

To His E.rceJIeucij, ITox. Robert B. Glexis:, 

Governor of North Carolina. 

Sir : — On account of the rapid decrease in the quantity of the 
diamond-hack terrapin in eastern i^orth Carolina waters, a report 
has heen prepared hy Dr. R. E. Coker on the habits, economic value, 
and cultivation df the diamondd)ack terra]:)in, vith suggestions 
regarding the prevention of its extermination. This report is sub- 
mitted for puldicatinn as Bulletin Xo. 14, entitled Tlie ]\atural 
History and Cultivation of the Diamond-back Terrapin. 

Yours obediently, 

Joseph Hyde Bratt, 

state Geoloc/ist. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Illustrations 5 

Preface 7 

Chapter I. — The diamond-uack terrapin !> 

IntroiUi<-tiuii 

Description and distrilmtion 

Chapter II. — Observations on terrapins in nature 12 

Habits of life and methods of collectiiiir 12 

Abundance 14 

Food of the terrapin 14 

Stomach contents of terrainns ( talile ) 1.". 

Hibernation IH 

Chapter III. — Op-servations of terrapins in coxfinement 17 

Construction of terrajtin piiund at P>eauf(n-t. N. C 17 

Behavior in confinement IS 

Association of sound or liudit witli food 10 

Food and water V.) 

Hibernation 2(t 

Breeding 22 

Chapter IV. — Reprouiction of terrapin in the wild siatk 24 

Laying habit in nature 24 

The young terra] lins 2." 

Rate of growtli 2r, 

Variation 32 

Moulting oo 

Differences of sexes I]?, 

Chapter V. — Cultivation of the diamond-pack terrapin at Lloyds. Md. . . 3." 

Season of 1904 3." 

Season of 1905 3(; 

Summary 37 

Chapter VI. — Cultivation of the snapping-turti.e. "•suppon." or soft- 
shell TORTOISE, OF Japan. /'// f>r. K. }litsiili-in-i 38 

Introduction 38 

Description of turtle farm 39 

Laying and nesting habits of turtles kept in coidincnieiit 42 

Care of the yoiuig turtles 4.") 

Summary 40 

Chapter VII. — Economic valie of diamond-back terrapin 47 

Market value of the terrapin 47 

Relative food value 49 

Terrapin industry in Xortli Carolina ."o 

The outloolv for the terrapin industry 52 

Legislation relating to terrapin industry ."i3 

Use of drag-nets l)y non-residents for ca telling terrapin forbidden. . .".3 

Diamond-back terrapin protected .13 

Summary .">.") 



4 TABLE OF COXTEXT^;. 

PAOE 

Chapter VIII. — Other forms of tiktles (chelonia) oiisfrved at Beau- 

F< >RT ^' I 

Truck-i);i('k turtle, Dcniinclicliis coriiti-cii .~it; 

~ Green turtle. ClKioiic iihi/da-'^ -"ti 

"^ Keinii's i;:ulf turtle. TlKilds.socJicIi/s coIikk-Ik 1 ijx Kjinitii ( (T.-iriiinm . . . . -"iT 

Description '>~ 

iNIensin'enieiits .V.) 

I>istrihuli<ui liO 

~^ Loggerliejul sea turtle. '/'Jniltissdclicli;.^ :>ir< 1tit ( I.. ) CO 

Laying habits 01 

La.ving season ill 

Xuniltei- of eggs (12 

Form of nest liL' 

I.o( ation of nest iVl 

The egg (i:; 

Incubation (;4 

Land .'.nd fresh-water turtles (;."> 

("onunon snapping-turtle t;."; 

Couuuon mud-turtle Cio 

Other turtles reported from eastern North Carolina (Ift 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PLATE , FACING PAGE 

I.'' Laboratoiy of the U. S. P>nro;iu of Fisheries at Beaufort, X. C . . . 9 
II, A, Diamoiid-baek terrapin adult (female), Carolina type, (ji^ 
inches length of plastron : top shell 7 inches. X lo cir. 
B, Adult female, Chesapeake t.vpe, from Dare County 10 

III. A, Dorsal view of adult male; length of plastron, 4 inches. Top 

/ shell 4.G inches. B. Ventral view of the same 14 

IV. A, Bird's-eye view of marshes in Newport River near Beaufort, 

N. C. a typical habitation of terrapins. B, View of sand 

, mound on a marsh where terrapins lay eggs 12 

V. Dorsal view of a diamond-back terrapin (young female) 4 inches 

, long 10 

VI. Ventral view of a diamond-back terrapin (.voung female) 4 inches 

, long 10 

VII. Experimental terrai)in pound at Fisheries Laboratory, Beaufort. 

N. C IS 

VIII. Interior view of experimental terrapin pound, Beaufort, N. C... 20 
IX.' A, Group of small terrapins taken from experimental ])ound at 

Beaufort. N. C. B. New-born terrapins slightly enlarged.... 22 

X!' Hunting terrapin eggs near Beaufort, N. C 24 

XI. Fig. A, Young terrapin from Texas showing beginning of forma- 
tion of first ring of growth. Fig. B, Terrapin with 2 rings of 
growth, 2.02 inches long. Fig. C. Terrapin with 2 rings of 

growth, 3.04 inches long 28 

XII. A and B. Diamond-back terrapin (female) with 3 rings of growth, 

3.86 inches long .30 

XIII.'' A, Shell of diamond-back terrapin ( female) with 3 rings of growtli. 
4.7 inches long. B, Shell of diamond-back terrapin (female) 

, /' with 4 rings of growth, 4.7 inches long 30 

XIV. A, Shell of diamond-l)ack terrapin with ."> rings of growth, o.O 
inches long. B. Diamond-back teri-apin (female) with rings 

/ of growth. 4.44 inches long 32 

i/ 
XV. Figs. 1 and 2, Diamond-back terrapin 2 years of age raised from 

egg hatched at Laborator.v. Fig. 3. Shell of diamond-back 
terrapin (female) with 8 rings of growth, .5.55 inches long... 32 
XVI. A, Egg deposits of Trionyx covered with wire baskets. B, Ar- 
rangements for collecting young turtles just hatched 42 

XVII." A and B, A young specimen of green turtle, length of carapace 13 

inches 56 

XVIII. A and B. Kemp's gulf turtle, lengtli of carapace 12.8 inches 58 

XIX.' Fig. 1, Loggerhead sea turtle (TJiiiJdssttrJicli/s (■(trciia (L. )). Fig. 
2, New-born loggerhead sea turtles. Fig. 3. Heads of embryo 
and of 2 new-born loggerhead sea turtles. Fig. 4, Embryos of 
loggerhead sea turtles 00 



6 ILLUtSTlJATIOXy. 

PLATE FACING PAGE 

XX. A, Freshly laid cLri^^s of lotriierliead sen turtle. The three lower 
ones arc chicken c^irs. B, Elt^s of loir.u'erhead sea turtle after 

/ incul)ation for a period in an artificial nest <'>2 

XXI. Figs. 1 and L*. Coninjon snaiiiiing-tiu-tlc. local swamp turtle. Fi^r. 

."!. Side view of same 114 

XXII. A. ( 'onnnon mud-turtle. J\ iiiosfcriron [xitiisijlniiih-inn. \\. Yellow- 
bellied terrapin, rxcmlim ijx sri-ip/a S<-hopf (U 

XXIII. A. (Jroup of box turtles, 'rci-niiinic cdrolind. 1'., Speckled tortoise. 

i'lriniinix f/iittdt ihs. Schneider (U 

FIG. PAGE 

1. Plan of turtle farm in .Tajian 4(1 

L'. Secti<ni and plan of the turtle jiound in Japan 41 



PREFACE. 



The ra})i<l exhaustion of a valuable tisherv through the extinc- 
tion of the highest-priced food })roduct of Xortli Carolina waters 
led the Xorth Carolina Geologic and Economic Survey, in cod|)era- 
tion with the UnitcMl States Bureau of Fisheries, to undertake an 
investigation reg;irdiiig the hal)its and life-history of the diamond- 
back terra j)in and the condition of the terrapin industry in Xorth 
Carolina. This investigati<;tii was begun in July, 1!M)2, in connec- 
tion Avith other ex|)erimental work carried on at the Beaubu't Labo- 
ratory by Dr. 11. K. Coker, the Biologist of the X^<u'th Carolina 
Geologic and Economic Survey, when he was temporary scientific 
assistant at the Laboratory. During the folhnving Avinter and sum- 
mer the observations on terrapins were continued in connection 
with other studies. \'isits were made to the terrapin })ounds near 
Charleston, S. C, in lUO-!, and to pounds at Crisfield, ^Id., in 
1903. The ex])erimental pound at Beaufort was discontinued in 
1903 on account of the Bureau of Fisheries having established a 
larger one at Lloyds, ]\[d. Cha]iters II and IV embody the results 
of the experimental Avork made during the years 1902 and l!M)o at 
Beaufort, X. C^, together with a few additional notes collected at 
other times. 

There is given in Cduipter V a brief descri|)tion of the work 
done at Lloyds, ]\Id., l)v Professor W. P. Hay of \Vasliington, 
D. C. Chapter VI takes up the Cultivation of the Snai)ping-Tur- 
tle or Soft-shell Tortoise, "Suppon." in Japan, as described by 
Dr. K. Hitsukuri, and is reprinted from the re])ort of the Bureau 
of Fisheries. On account of considerable similarity in the culti- 
vation of this snapping-turtle and the dianiond-l>a('k terrapin, it has 
been thought advisable to reprint this chapter here as 1 icing of interest 
and value to those who are interested in the diaiiiond-l)ack terra- 
])in. A few additional notes on the sea turtle-^, wliich are given in 
Chapter VII, are the results of Dr. Coker's work during the summer 
of 1905. 

Special acknowledgments are due to : Dr. C^iswell Grave, Direc- 
tor of the Laboratory at Beaufort, for valuable suggestions at the 
beginnino; of this investiffatiou and for manv courtesies extended 



s 



PEEFAOE. 



at all times during the work ; Mr. Charles Hatsel of the Laboratory 
f<»r the efficient assistance that he has rendered and for his care of 
the terra] lins in the ])<:>inids, Avhich were under his sujjervisiciii a 
great deal of the time; ^Iv. J. II. Potter of Beanf(.rt, X. C.\ and 
to many iitlicr dealers and tishermen for their enconraging assistance. 

Joseph Hyde Peatt, 

><!t(itc Gcoloiil^f. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE L 




\' ' 



n 







THE CULTIVATION OF THE DIAMOND-BACK 
TEMAEIN. 



By R. E. COKEK. 



CHAPTEPv I. 
THE DIAMOXD-BACK TEERAPIX. 

INTRODUCTION. 

At the be,i;iiiiiin,u' of the investigation of the cnltivation of the 
diamond-back terra])in in Xorth Carolina, several practical and im- 
portant questions regarding the terrapin suggested themselves as 
follows : 

1. Is present legislation for the ^irotection of this form based on 
a satisfactory knowledge of the habits of the terrapin ? 

2. Can anything further be done by either the State or National 
Government towards checking the extermination of the terrajdn ? 

3. Is it practicable to breed and grow the terrapin as a private 
enterprise, as the Japanese do so successfully with tlieir soft-shell 
Snapping-Turtle, Triony.v jnponicus, Schlegel T" 

Before these (luestions can be satisfactorily answered information 
must be had on many points, as : 

a. Habits of adults, feeding, breeding, etc. ; 

h. Habits of young, food, enemies, chances for living; 

c. Rate of growth, age of market sizes, and age at which lireeding 
begins. 

Adequate data has not yet been secured on all these points, but 
i]i the following pages the results of the work accomplished and 
information collected is given. 

DESCRiPTiON AND'DISTRIBUTION. 

The diamond-back terrapin occurs along the Atlantic and Gulf 
coasts of the United States from Buzzard's Bay, Mass., south and 



* Mitsukuri, K. "The Cultivation of Marine and Fresh-water Animals in Japan." Bulletin 
Bureau of Fisheries for 1904, Vol. XXIV, pp. 257-289. See also. Chapter VI of this report. 



10 THE iiiA:i[()xr)-EACK terrapix. 

west to Texas; and belongs to J. E. Gray's uvnus Mdlaclcinmi/s. 
ThoY have in recent years all heen inelndeil in the one species, 
2la/tirlcnniii/.s ccii/rala (Latreille) ; hnt W. P. Hay, after comparison 
of specimens from nniny regions, has shown in a recent ])aper"" that 
we have to do with more than one species. The several species and 
the distribntion of each as determined l)y him are as folic »ws: 

Mdhiclcninii/s ccnirtdd (Latreille). The (Carolina Terrapin, 
irom the iieiii;hborhood of Cape Hatteras sonthward to the coast of 
Florida. 

The snbspecies, M. coil rata coi}cciit)-ica (Shaw). The Chesa- 
])eake Terrapin. Trom Ihizzard's Bay, Massachnsetts, to \"iriiinia 
or North Carolina; Long' Island Sonnd, Delaware and Chesapeake 
Bays, etc. (See PI. II, A and E). 

M. Diacrospi/o/d (Hay). The Florida Terra]»in. Western Coast 
of Floi'i(hi. 

M. I'llcata (Maximilian zn Wied). The Lonisiana Terra})in. 
So far as is known, the rnuuc of this terrapin is along the (Inlf coast 
from the region about the month of the Mississippi River eastward 
as far as Aiobile Bay, and possibly well along the coast of Florida. 

M. lil/oralis ( Hay), ("oast of Texas and outlying islands. 

Both M. rcii/rala and its snbspecies, M. coiiraia coiiccnh-ira — the 
"Carolina"' and the "Cdiesapeake" terrapins, respectively — occnr in 
Xorth Carolina, but in varying ])ro])ortions in <litferent localities. 
Fnfortnnately, the dilferences between the two ty])( s are not snsce])ti- 
ble of sncli accurate statement that one can ahvays distinguish the 
two forms. The existence of two or more types seems to be generally 
;icce])ted by terrapin dealers and others familiar with terra])ins. The 
diagnostic characters, however, are based on ])oints in which terrapins 
are \-erv variable, so that it is difficult to identify a given individual 
unless it is a good type of the s]K'cies or of the subs])ecies. This 
difHculty is, doubtless, jiarticnlarly noticeable in this State, the 
geogTa]»hic nieeting-])lace <d' the two forms. It is tlu' ludief of the 
writer that numy "Chesa])eake" terrapins will be found in the comi- 
ties of i)are and Hyde, though the writer has not, since the ajipear- 
ance of Hay's ])a])er, had o]iportTmitv to exandne considerable num- 
bers from that region. The terra] »in shown in A, PI. 1 1, is a good rep- 
resentative of the Chesai)eake ty]>e, and was taken ni'ar Stumpy Point 
in Dare (^lnnty. Abont Beanfort, the "Sonthern" form jn-edomi- 

* "A Revision of Malncleinmys, a Genus of Turtles." William Perry Hay, Bulletin of Bureau of 
Fisheries for 1901, Vol. XXIV. pp. 1 to 20, Plates I to XII. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE II. 





e 2 



THE DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN. 11 

nates. An expert terrapin dealer of the Baltimore market states 
that he sometimes receives from AVilmington, X. C, terrapins that 
cannot be distingnished from "Chesapeakes," either in ajipearancc or 
flavor. 

Plate II, A, shows a 6i/o-inch female of the "Carolina" or ''Sonth- 
ern" type. Perhaps the most constant and convenient diagnostic 
characters are the size and shape of the head (larger and with blunter 
snout in the "Carolina") and the outline of the carapace (parallel- 
sided in the "C^irolina," and flaring posteriorly in the "Chesa- 
peake"), A and B of PI. II. Yet in these, as in all other points, 
terrapins from any region are very variable. Terrapin dealers usu- 
ally attach a higher value to the "Chesapeake" market type than to the 
"Southern," although terrapins have been seen with heads larger, 
in proportiou, than that of the terra])in of A, PL 11, yet pronounced 
by an experienced terrapin dealer of the Baltimore nuirket good 
"Chesapeakes." 

Terrapins «lo not usually attain to as large a size in Xorth Caro- 
lina as in the Chesapeake, and 7-iiich and S-ineh terrapins are rare 
in Carolina. 



CHAPTER II. 
OBSERVATIOXS OX TEEEAPIXS IX XATUEE. 

HABITS OF LIFE AND METHODS OF COLLECTSNG. 

The (liamond-back terrapin is an inhabitant of the salt and brack- 
ish marshes which occnr in regions snch as jjcanfort llarl)<>r. Avhere 
the density of the water ranges from l.(>l."i to l.Oi^o, or along tlie 
shores of Pamlico Sound, where the average density is mncli lower, 
as at -Indiths Island, Pains Bay, etc. The writer has not loarned of 
its occnrrence in Xortli C^arolina rivers al>ovc the region of brackish 
water. l)onl)tless the distribution of its natural food su|)])ly is an 
important fat-tor in the restricting of its habitat to salt and brackish 
water, for terrapins seem by no means dejtendent on salt water. 
Terrapins kept for several years in pens at the Laboratory su])plied 
oidy with fresh water have not seemed to sutfV'r for the want of salt 
water. In this cast% however, they were fed with salt-water fish, 
crabs, etc. 

In Beaufort Ilarbiu", though the terrapins are rare, their local dis- 
tribution is general. They live in the extensive marshes of Xewport 
Eiver, north and west of the Laboratory, PI. IV, A; on the Town 
marsh, in Gallants Creek ; in tlie ]\[iddle marshes, north of Shakle- 
ford Cdiannel ; and in th.e marshes of Xorth Eiver. The Outward 
marshes in Xorth Eiver, 2 to ;3 miles above Lenoxville, is one of the 
1)est i^laces to hunt them. 

In tide regions they are found at low tide nearly or entirely buried 
in the mud ov hidden under drift. l)nt are occasionally seen crawling 
about. .\t high tide they swim about over the marshes in search of 
food. Their habits in the waters of Xorth Carolina, that are practi- 
cally tideless, have not been observed. 

Some idea of the habits of the terrapin may be gained from a 
description of a ty])ical collecting tri]). While the tide is still ebbing, 
the collector starts out over the marshes carrying a stick with which 
to probe into the mud. The borders of the open ]daces in the marsh 
are sefirched with especial care, since the terrapins are su]">posed to 
frecpient tlicse places for cftuvenience in feeding at high tide. It 
requires the sharp eye of an experienced fisherman to detect the ]n-es- 
ence of a terrapin when all except, perhayts. the head and po-^sildy a 



TEEEAri:s's iisr k^ature. ''. lo 

small part of the carapace is buried in tlie soft black mud of the 
grassy marsh. Ofteu they are found merely by prol)ing with the 
stick into suspicious de])ressions in the mud, or other places, which 
appear probable or possible hiding-places of a terrapin. On one occa- 
sion a terrapin just found in the marsh was put back on the ground 
and allowed to crawl away. After a few minutes the path o\-er the 
mud was traced. Winding about through the grass for a few yards, 
it jDassed through several watery dejiressions and terminated at one 
just large enough to accommodate a crab that was the only apparent 
creature in it. Only the evidence of the fresh track terminating 
there led to further examination. The terrapin was found buried 
2 or 3 inches in the soft mud underneath the crab. 

At high tide, when the water is over the marshes and the terrapins 
are swimming about and feeding, another method of collecting is 
followed. Ballast is put in the stern of a boat, while the fisherman 
stands in the bow, and, poling his boat carefully, skirts along the 
border of the grassy areas. The terrapins are found swimming near 
the surface and nibbling at the marsh grass, feeding probably, as 
stomach examinations indicate, on the small snails which occur so 
abundantly on this grass. A dip-net (an ordinary crab-net) is used 
as the instrument of capture. 

Formerly the drag-net was sometimes used at Beaufort for terra- 
pins. Commonly the net would be set across the lower part of the 
marsh "creek," wdiile the fishermen would go up to gouge the bottom 
and stir and beat the water. The terrapins thus routed out would 
go down with the tide and get in the "bunt" (slack) of the net. The 
lead-line was then rapidly taken up and the terrapins were thus 
securely imprisoned. Except on a very smooth and firm l)ottoni, the 
method of ''footing up," commonly used for fish, would not be suc- 
cessful with terrapins. 

In other regions, as in Pandico Sound, the drag-net is used in a 
different manner. While the "canoe" (dug-out) or skifi' is quietly 
poled along a short distance from th(> marsh, the surface of the water 
is carefully scanned ; and when the head of a terrapin is seen, the net 
is quickly ])ut over and hauled ^^^ to the shore. 

All the methods of fishery mentioned above, hoAvever, are practi- 
cally obsolete about Beaufort. ^Most of the terrapins brought to mar- 
ket are found accidentally by fishermen seeking for fish or shell-fish. 
Thus, an oysterman, working in clear and shallow water in winter. 



14 TEERAnXS IN XATTEE. 

;iiul seeing the outline oi a terrapin buried in the soft mud beneath, 
takes it with his tongs; ur a tishernian eaptures an occasional terrapin 
with a net haul of iish. 

ABUNDANCE. 

So rare and so well concealed ai'c the terrapins that sonietirnes an 
ex]iert tishernian may search everv day for a week without finding 
one; again, only one is found on a trip, while another day, half a 
dozen or even a dozen or more may be obtained. They are not alnin- 
dant enough in the region of Beaufort to nu^ke it profitable to an ordi- 
nary fisherman to hunt them. The majority of the terrapins ob- 
tained ai'e eitlier "Inills" (Plate III, A and B), as the males are 
called, or undersized "hens," as the females are desigiiated ( Pis. A" 
and VI ) ; and these yield the fishermen only 10 to 25 cents each. 
()n]y the larger females (."> inches or more, length of jdastron) bring 
griod prices. Hence, even a catch of 5 or 0, if all "bulls" or snmll 
■'hen" terrapins, might not be a ]>rofitab]e day's work.^'" 1 know of 
but one man about Beaufort wlio may be accounted a teri'a])in hunt( r, 
and he hunts only at certain seasons and as long as there is little else 
to do in tlie way of fishing. Having hunte(l interestedly and more 
or less regularly in this way for many years, Mr. Evert Guthrie's 
experience as a collector was of invaluable assistance to us. In 
Pamlico Sound the search is probably more profitable, for the writer 
has more than once seen fishermen hunting terrapins by the seine 
method, as about Judiths Island and Pains Bay. (See PI. IV, A). 

FOOD OF THE TERRAPIN. 

The following is a record of the st(unacli contents of 14 small <u- 
UK <lirini-sized terra])ins killed shortly after capture, all of which 
were taken in Beaufort Harbor: 



* For market purposes the length of a terrapin is the length of the flat plastron (bottom shell), 
measured on the median line, and expressed in inches. For convenience, this method of measure- 
ment was adopted and is used throughout this paper. 



N C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE IIL 





N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE IV. 




A, BJRD'S-EYE VIEW OF MARSHES IN NEWPORT RIVER NEAR BEAUFORT, N. C. A TYPICAL 
HABITATION OF TERRAPINS. 




B, VIEW OF SAND MOUND ON A MARSH WHERE TERRAPINS LAY EGGS. 



TERRAPIN'S IN NATURE, 



15 



STOMACH CONTE^nS OF TERRAPINS. 



S S ' (a) LiTORINA 

o £ Irrorata Say 
g = (Snail). 
'jjZ 


Other 
Gastropods. 


Crabs. 


Annelids 

(.Worms). 


Remarks. 


(6) 1 


Fragments of 2. 




Fragments of 1 

(up. undeter- 
mined ). 


Twenty-five pairs 
of jaws, appar- 
ently of a spe- 
cies of Nereis. 


An abundance of 
mud. 


(c) 2 


About 100 very 
small snails, 
L. 1-2 mm. 


Fragments of 1 
(sp. ?). 




Little in stomach. 


(rf)3 


Fragments of 6. 


Fragments of 3 

(Melaniptis 

lineatus. Say). 






Five pieces of 
grass aggrega- 
ting in length 32 
mm. 


ie) 4 






Tip of claw of 
crab (sp. ?). 






5 


Fragments of 153. 




Fragments of 1 
{Gelasimus) . 




One small piece of 
grass (sp. ?). 


6 


Fragments of 93. 










7 


Fragments of 7. 










8 


Fragments of 16. 




Fragments of 1 Head and anterior 
(sp. ?). segments of iVe- 
reis {irritabilis, 
Webster?). 


One bulb from sar- 
gassum and a 

few shreds of 
grass. 


9 


Fragments of 9 
with many 
m.ore. 




Tip of claw 

(sp. ?). 


Setse and 1 pr. 
of jaws of Ne- 
reis (sp. ? ). 


Shred of grats. 


10 


Fragments of 30. 


Fragments of a 

MclatHpus 
Kneutus, Say. 








11 


Fragments of 53. 










12 


Fragments of 8. 










13 


Fragments of 51. 








14 


Fragments of 46. 









a. The number could be counted accurately by using only the apices of the shells. 

b. 2.3 inches, length of plastron, found on "Town Marsh" August 17, 1905. 

c. 2.8 inches, length of plastron, found on "Town Marsh" August 17, 1905. 

d. 3.5 inches, length of plastron, found on "Town Marsh" August 17, 1905. 
c. 4.5 inches, length of plastron, found on "Town Marsh" August 17. 1905. 



16 TEEEAnXS IX KATUL'E. 

This liiiiiti_'(l inuiihcr (if ubsorvntioiis indicates that the chief fnod 
iif the t( ri'a])ius at JJeaufdrt is the small snail, LUovina u-foniUi Say, 
exceedingly cdiiniKni on the blades of marsh i^-rass {Spaiiuid) ; small 
crahs, such as the hddlcr-cral;) (Gclasnnus) ; and at least one sp( cies 
of annelid worm. The shreds ui grass were, ])Ossibly, taken in acci- 
dentally while hiting at the snails on the grass, for if the terra])ins 
^v^re by taste vegetable feeders, grass wonld, doubtless, have b; en 
fonnd in much greater abnndaiice. In conhnement, terrapins will 
eat fish or bine crabs, et<'., but in natnrt', the animals mentioned al)Ove 
are more accessible to terrapins than are larger and ni<;»re active 
forms. 

Since it is probable that the food has mnch to do with the (pnility 
of the meat of the terra])in, it wonld be essential for the purposes of 
the ])raetical breeder to know definitely what is the natural food of 
the diamond-backs in the localities whei'e the best specimens are 
found. Hence, it is important that more complete observations be 
made on this sulrject, es])ecia]ly on the feeding habits of terra]>ins in 
different geographic regions and in. different localities. 

HIBERNATION. 

On the approach of cold weather the terrapin l)uries itself in tlie 
mud, probaldy often seeking this in the deeper waters. That this is 
not always the case is inferred from the fact that terrapins are said 
to be found in winter on the high marshes. Observations in an 
experimental ])ound lead t<» the l)elief that they commonly seek the 
deeper water. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE V. 




DORSAL VIEW OF A DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN (YOUNG FEMALE) 4 INCHES LONG. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE VL 




.>:Sn '-Jk^ 




-■; 



VENTRAL VIEW OF A DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN (YOUNG FEMALE) 4 INCHES 



CHAPTER III. 
OBSERVATIOXS OX TEERAPIXS IX COXFIXEMEXT. 

The rarity of the diamond-ljack terrapin makes it ditficult to ob- 
serve their habits in natnro. On this acconnt and for other reasons 
in accord with the original aims of the investigation, it was deter- 
mined to constrnct observation ponnds within easy reach of the Lalnt- 
ratory. Xear the northeast point of Pivers Island, on which the 
Fisheries Laboratory is hicated, there is a gradual but steady slo]>e 
from the line of low tide, through a grassy marsh, to a higher sandy 
ground beyond the line of high tides. Such a spot afforded a most 
favorable location for a pound (or ''crawl," as it is sometimes called) ; 
for it was desired to have a pound that would include as much variety 
of natural environment as could be had within the necessarily small 
space. Here a pen 25 by 90 feet might embrace sandy ground, 
always above water and suited for crawling or laying; grassy ground 
usually above water; a muddy and grassy tide-marsh; and, by ex- 
tending below the line of Lowest tides, a soft muddy liottom covered 
with never less than about 2 feet of water. 

CONSTRUCTION OF TERRAPIN POUND AT BEAUFORT, N. C. 

The wall of the pound (see Pis. VII and VIII) consisted of a 
double row" of puncheons (pine slabs were used) reaching well into 
solid earth and extending al)ont 4 feet above the ground or the level 
of the water at high tide. The puncheons of the 2 rows, ]ilaced with 
flat surface against flat surface, were so alternated that each slab cov- 
ered the crack between the 2 puncheons of the other row. The slabs 
were nailed together and the wall was further strengthened l)y a 
■2-inch by 4-inch scantling laid horizontally on the to]i and nailed to 
each slab. Finally, a 10-inch plank placed horizontally on top of the 
scantling contributed es]ieciany to the rigidity of the wall, besides 
affording a convenient wnlk-way from which to observe the terrapins 
in any part of the ]X)und. In addition, it served to ])revcnt the terra- 
pins from crawli]ig out of the pen; for it was found that in the cor- 
ners of the wall they could crawl up to the very to]i. The pound was 
divided into two comjiartuients (10 and 1.5 feet wide respectively) 
by a partition similar in construction to the side walls and parallel to 



IS TEREAPI]N^S IN COXFIXEMEXT. 

them (PI. A'llI). The walls were not so close hut that thej freely 
admitted the water and even small lish and sln'iiiips. 

While this pen, built in September, 11)02, Avas of satisfactory de- 
siiiii in most res|)ects, and served the purpose of an observation pound 
during the fall, wdnter, and spring following, the slab puncheons 
})roved entirely iiui(!c(piat<'. About duly 1 of the following summer, 
after the sudden loss of a number of the terrapins, it was found that 
the slabs were disastrottsly worm-eaten near the bottom. It was neces- 
sary to make considerable repairs to the pen, or to permanently 
remove the remaining terrapins. By this time, too, it had been found 
that so small a pen was not adapted for breeding; that if the experi- 
ment was to be continued a very much larger pound should be made, 
and for this a diiferent location would be required. Such a pound 
has now been established in Maryland by the United States Bureau 
of Fislun-ies, and the results of the In'eeding experiments will l:»e as 
availa.bh^ and of as equal value as thotigh made at Beaufort. (See 
Chapter X). 

Observations were made on terrapins in these pens and on otliers 

in very small ]!ens ( ;;i ^ by '.> feet aud t; by 1() feet) sujjplied with the 

natural iiow <d" fresh water from an artesian well. .Vt times, too, 

terrapins were kept in acpuirium 1al>les ( -'] by 1» feet) or a(;uaria in 

the Lalwratory. 

BEHAVIOR !N CONFINEMENT. 

When first ])la('e(| in (lie ];Minids, the t'Ti-aoius were coniined f()r 
two weeks to a snndl jiortion at the up]ier end. Tliere was a nnirked 
diiference in the behavior of the terrapins in the limited freedom of 
the pound and that of those in the closer conhiK um nt of an aiju.arium 
table or one of the fresh-water pens. In the former a beaten patli was 
formed where they often wandered along the walls, apjuirently seek- 
ing an opening for esca])e. They would attempt to climb over the 
walls, ascending in the corners of the pens several feet from the 
•uround or water; for the rough Ivirk of the slabs afforded sufficient 
hold for their feet. Usually, how^ever, most of them were in con- 
cealment. Although one of the divisions contained over 40 and the 
other about HO, not until the folloving spring were considi-i'alde num- 
liers in evidence at one time. It would hardly have been believed 
that the fidl number were still in the pound if the terra])ins had not 
l:)een hunted out and counted over. A number would a])pear at the 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE VJI. 




teeeapijns IX coxFiA" e:\iext. 19 

rapping to Avhicli many of tlieni had been made accustomed as the 
call for food; ])nt hardly more than a half-dozen would eonie to the 
feeding-board while a man stood near. Perhaps the gastropods, fid- 
dler-crabs, shrimps, and other small animals, living in the pen or en-' 
tering naturally through cracks, afforded almost sufficient food. In 
time this wildness wore away in some degree, but not until after 
S or 10 months did they become even tolerably tame. However, in 
the smaller pens and tables (nothing over 16 by G feet in size) the 
captives were more in evidence, and soon became quite tame, so 
much so as to crowd over one another in attempting to eat from the 
hand. 

ASSOCIATION OF SOUND OR LIGHT WITH FOOD. 

Diamond-backs very quickly associate certain sounds or other im- 
pressions with food. Fish and crabs were fed them daily, these 
being chopped near the pen Avith a hatchet. .Vfter a few days, at the 
sound of the chopping their heads would appear above their beds of 
weed. In time this sound, or similar sounds of rapping on the walls 
of the pen (whether or not food was present), became quite effective 
in bringing them out to the place of feeding, and thus they could be 
called from concealment whenever desired. 

Later, some were fed in the evening after dark for a period of 
about a week. Soon the appearance of a lighted lamp became asso- 
ciated with food and was sufficient to draw the animals out to the 
place of feeding, whether or not there was food at hand. 

FOOD AND WATER. 

The writer would have little to say under this head w'ere it not 
that actual observation of a great many pens of terrapins, kept for 
varying lengths of time between capture and shipment, has empha- 
sized the importance of great consideration being given to the food 
and water for the terrapins. Terrapins withstand extremel}' unfa- 
vorable circumstances for so long a time that the impression is often 
gained that such conditions are not hurtful. Xot infrequently the 
statement is heard from persons of experience that terrapins must 
not be fed oftener than twice or at most three times a week, or there 
would be a high rate of mortality; that the terrapins are gourmands. 
Undoubtedly the basis for this idea is actual experience in feeding 
terrapins in pens that are not supplied with a free current of water, 
enouu'h to remove the filth which accumulates. Thus, the oftener the 



20 TEIIIJAI'INS IN COXFIXEMEXT. 

animals are fed the more rapidlv does tlie })eii l)eeome fold and the 
ni<;»re nnfavi)ral)le heedine the ennditinns in tlie pen. It is nnneeessary 
in this eonneetion to do more than alhuk- to the most fvcnjnent mis- 
stakes made in the nuiiiner of keeping' terrapins : 

1. The pen is insnttieieutly snpplied with water. In one instance 
the reverse was the ease, no hind heing snpplied on whieli the terra- 
pins might come n]) ont of the water. 

■2. A \-er}- large numl)er of terra})ius are erijwded within a very 
small enelosnre. 

o. kSneh in<lividnals as die are kd't to decay in the water in which 
the other terra] )ins live and feed. 

4. .V series <»f ponnds are so gronped that the waste frtmi one pen 
])asses into another, and the accnnudated hlth of these two into a 
third, and so on. 

Unsanitary conditions nnist resnlt from the a1)ove ])ractice of 
handling terrajiins. Snch mistakes it would seem would he avoided 
hy any one \\\u) recalle<l that the natural home (d' the teri'a])in is on 
the marshes that are daily swept hy the tides, thus insuring cijnstant 
supplies of fresh water. Tlie essential consideration in keeping ter- 
ra[(ins is to keep the pen clean, and to this end an effective How of 
water is indispensahle (l)ut not necessarily all-suthcient). When 
kept under ])i'o])er conditions, terra})ins nuiy be fed daily with 
(•hop])ed hsh or crahs, live tiddler-crahs or marine snails, etc. Pro|)er 
conditions can readily he ohtainetl at any point on the coast, with l)ut 
a small additi(»nal expense, and this will he more than counter1)al- 
anced hy the ])revention <d' losst's from death. 

HIBERNATION. 

Hibernation (in the salt-water pound) began about October •I'l'X. 
The teri'a])in did not at once hibernate permanently, but, a<'<'or(ling 
as the weather was warm or cool, many of them woidd be out or in 
concealment; l)ut by the middle of Deceml)er the terrajdns were in 
regular hiliernation. Even during the winter, however, individual 
terrajiins were occasionally seen swimndng sluggishly at the surface. 
Idnis, though the weather was (piite cool (freezing at night), one ter- 
ra|u'n came out Decend)er 17th, and another on the l!»th; l)ut none 
would come u]i to feed. 

After hibernation had begun, about 40 fenuiles, not include<l in the 
])ermanent ex])eriments, were placed in an upper }iart oi one division 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE VIII. 




TJiiajAPlAS 1>I GOAFIA"EAIE2vT. 21 

of tlie pound, separated by a [)artitioii from the marsh and water of 
the hjwer half. These by JJeeember lUth had buried as best they 
could under the roots of the grass, being more or less completely cov- 
ered by a thickness of an inch or two of roots and sand ; for terrapins 
cannot burrow well in dry earth ; and over them was thrown a pile of 
excelsior. In one corner two were found buried in the soft sand 
against the puncheons to a depth of about 4 inches. All of these 
terrapins were in a very stupefied condition, but, when taken in the 
luuid, evidences of life were seen in slow and slight retractile move- 
ments of the neck and limlis. Placed in the warm sunshine, most 
of them soon began to crawl sleepily about. The terrapins shown 
in the photograph, PI. IX, A, were taken from their winter quarters 
in the lower part of the pound, January 15, 1003. They had been 
in the sun long enough to l)egin crawling about, l)ut were tpiiet enough 
for an exposure of one second of the camera, PI. IX, I]. 

Some of the terrapins in the pound, especially the smaller ones, 
buried in the uiuddy marsh, but most of them used the soft, water- 
covered mud at the very outer en<l. They were so lightly buried that 
the position of many of them could readily be distinguished. On 
warmer days, during the winter, the shnv niovcmeuts of a terrapin 
just beneath the surface of the mud might be watched through the 
water, or a terrapin might be seen to come out of the mud, crawl 
slowly over the bottom for a foot or two, and then bury itself again. 
Thus they were not entirely inactive, although they did not, so far 
as was known (occasioual individuals exceiitetl), come out either to 
eat or breathe in the air. 

It Avas interesting to note, on the other hand, the l)ehavior of other 
terrapins kept under different conditions, as in the small fresh-water 
pens which have been previously alluded to. The temperature of the 
water from the artesian well is 20.1:° C. ; after running, however, 
about 30 feet over the ground and into the pens, the walls of which 
caused it to form miniature "ponds," the temperature was considera- 
bly reduced in cold weather ; but ice was not noted in these pens 
duriug the eutire wiutcr. ()u warmer days the terrapiu< Avoidd come 
out in numbers, and, after being in the midday sunshine awhile, 
would become quite active. Thus, on December 17th, when only one 
terrapin was observed out in the salt-water pound, a small "island" of 
sand in a fresh-water pen was covered with terrapins which, when 
approached, ran actively back into the water. On such daA's (not 



22 TEEKAl'IIs'S IX C0A'FIXEME:N'T. 

iiifreqneiitj, and coming at anv time Jnring the winter, the animals 
were nsnally fed, and wonhl eat quite heartil}'. Tims the statement 
often made that from the very beginning of hibernation in fall until 
its close in spring, terrapins cannot be induced to eat at all, may 
apjtly to terrapins under natural conditions, hut does not apply to 
those kept under such artihcial conditions as in our fresh-water ]tens. 

While terra})ins thus protect themselves from the rigors of winter, 
they nuiy, as is well known to dealers, withstand severe cold, even 
freezing, fVtr a short time. 

The hil)ernation ended al)out iNIarch 8th. On that day the terra- 
pins a])peare<l in great numbers and seemed very lively. After that, 
numy of them were out, chiefly swimming or floating in the water. 
Some fed heartily, but, as in the fall preceding, they Avere not ^-ery 
tame, aud not many of them would come up to eat the food placed 
for them, exce])t at nighl. They were corumonly seen floating in 
groups on the surface while the tide was well up. By early sunnner 
they were much tamer and would come np more boldly to feed. 

The writer visited Ci-isHeld, ]\iarylaud, April 1st and 2d, and 
found the terrapins in the pounds there were apparently emerging 
from hi])ernation, thus Ixdng about three weeks later than at Beau- 
fort, N. C. 

BREEDING. 

While during Ajiril, ^May and June the terrapins were out a great 
deal, frequently floating or swimming languidly on the surface, mat- 
ing was n<it observed. I do not know of any case of uniting or laying 
in ordinary pens, except where terrapins were added during the 
s])riug or early summer." In such cases only l)y careful observation 
could it be determined if the terrapins that had been in confinement 
during the preceding winter mated and laid. 

Several terra]nns, male and female, were taken and impounded 
during tlie spring of ll>Oo. Buring the writer's absence, one of these, 
a female of between ."» and ('> inches (length of plastron), was observed 
nmkiug a nest on June ''!<>, 100,3. A few days afterwards the eggs 
wei'e (]\}>j; ii]). Two launches of eggs, or two nests., were found about 
4- inches ai);;rt (the two nests made by the same female (I )• In 
rme of the nests were G snndl eggs, in the other 7 of varying size, but 
all lander tlian anv of the six. To G,-et at these e<ius. it was nc^cessarv 



* Professor Hay has informed me that in the experimental pounds of the Bureau of Fisheries, 
located in Maryland, some of the terrapins mated after the second winter of confinement. See 
below, p. 36, Chapter V. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE IX. 



MEaaaaMHiBMMKKaBrtMk: 



r^.m^TT^'—jtuCfr 




A. GROUP OF SMALL TERRAPINS TAKEN FROM EXPERIMENTAL POUND AT BEAUFORT. N. C. 




B, NEW-BORN TERRAPINS. SLIGHTLY ENLARGED. 



TEiniAPIXS IN CONFIXEMEXT. - Zo 

to remove -i or 5 inches of sand with bits of shells an<l other solid 
matter. The ground was probably nnsnitable, for the eggs were not 
planted as deeply as in natnre and most of them failed to hatch. 
One hatched a terrapin that was taken from the nest Angnst 26th, 
57 days from date of laying. Another was fonnd in the nest Septem- 
ber l;jth, 75 days from the date of laying. On the dates mentioned, 
the nests were opened and in each instance one terra]5in was found 
in the nest out of the shell, or in the sand just above. The exact date 
of hatchiug cann(U 1)0 given; the examination might have bepn made 
a few days earlier or later with similar results. The young of the 
yellowd»ellird terra])iu Pseudemys rugosa are known to remain in the 
nest until the following spring, as described by Dr. Hugh M. Smit]i." 
The young of JlalarlcHinti/s ccntraia probaldy leave their nest ni;(t 
long after hatching. (See PI. IX). 



* "Notes on the Breeding Habits of the Yellow-bellied Terrapin." Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 
(Quart. Issue), Vol. XLV. April 4, 1904. 



CHAPTER IV. 

rLEPKODUCTIOX OF TEPvRAPIX IX THE WILD STATE. 

LAYING HABIT IN NATURE. 

The marslies of Peaulort Harbor and tvibutai'v rivers are ii^^r.ally 
very low ain!, ('X('('])t for the to}>s of the i^-ras^, completely snhnierged 
at high tide, hi a ^■erv few s})ots the winds and \va\'es ha\'e heatcn 
up san<ly hinips that have l)eeii rendered stable hv grass r(.)ots and are 
exposed al all tinios ex('('])t during very high stoi'iii-tides. Such elcva- 
ti<:»ns on one of the "Middle ]\[arshes,"' between the month of Xorth 
Iiiver and Shakleford Banks, seemed to oft'er very favorable places 
f<:»r nesting; it was known, too, that newd)orn terra]>ins had been 
f<:)und there once liefore. On the 21st an<! I'lM ni' -Inly the writer 
made a search of two of the three Innips on this marsh (see PI. IV, B, 
and PI. X). Idle ground was dng n]) eiirefnily, and, in )) or 4 lionrs 
digging, 7 nests were discovered, (hi one Iniii]) 4 nests, c<intaining 
4, 5, 6 and 7 eggs respectivtdy, Avere found at dejitlis of (i to S infdies ; 
exce])t that the nest with 4 eggs (the only one not on the highest i)art 
of the elevation) was only 3 inches 1)elow the snrfaet'. This nest con- 
tained only small ea^s. ( )n the othcn' bun]) were found o nests of 
about the same depths with 2, ."> and s egus respeci i\'(dy. Perha])s not 
Uiore than onedialf (d' the ground was Auii, for it was not desired to 
disturl) other nests. In each lum]i the higher ]»art was I'O to •')<) feet 
long by about G feet wide. With one exception, the nests were found 
<:)n the highest ])art, wlii(di could be snlmierged only by a very high 
storm-tide. The third elevation was not so high, was shelly and less 
promising in ai»pearauee, and was not examine<l for eggs. In digging, 
occasional bits of egn-shell were found, ^•estiges of former seasons. 
One i»ld entire egii' was found, through which a blade of grass had 
izrown, and one of the new eggs found had met the same fate. Some 
of the eggs taken here and transplanted to Pivers Island had liatched 
by August iT.th and ifC.th. On August 22, 1;m»2, a ne<t of :] terra- 
pins had been fouml here by the collector, ^Ir. Outhrie. One of the 
terrapins, he state(l, was foun<] emerging from the shell. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE X. 




KEl'KODUCTION IN THE WILD STATE. Z,) 

THE YOUNG TERRAPINS. 

The new-l)(jni terrapins have soft shells (PI. IX, ]J) ami, doubtless, 
in tlieii" defenselcssness, niiieli loss is siitl'erecl diu-iuii' the tirst year 
fnun rats, crows, and other enemies.'^ In The Coninion Crow of the 
Tnited Statesj- Jjarrowes makes the followini;- interesting- note re- 
garding the depredation of crows on yonng tortoises, though he does 
not mention the diamond-hack, prol)al)ly hecause the observations 
were not made on crows at the seashore : 

The exainlnation of n"o\v stomachs hronght to light the somewhat uiiex- 
peeted fact that crows destroyed coiisideral)le iuimliers of yonnc;; tortoises, or 
terrapins, as tliey are geiiernljy called in Mai'yland and Virginia. This item 
of food is notieeahle during April. ^lay, and .June. Only young tortoises are 
eaten, those of very small size iirednminating. though occasionally larger ones 
are taken. (The sna]i]iing tortoise, ChcJiidni so-pnitiini. the painted tortoise, 
Chriixciinjs picta. and the box tortoise, Cisfmlo <_'(ir<iliii(i. mentioned) * * * 
in Ma.v (this kind of food) formed almost 1 per cent, occurring in o3 stomachs 
out of 3(;4, or in ahout 1 stomach out of every 11. J 

We could almost imagine the extermination of the race in this 
way in a few years, were it not for the remarkable success of the 
young in concealing themselves, at least from man. In the course of 
two years, 15 terra])ins each with -2 rings of growth were found. 
Hundreds of terra])ins older than this could have l)een obtained. I 
think two specimens of the new-born size were brought to the Labora- 
tory (besides those found in the nests) and one specimen with one 
ring of growth. These were chance specimens. Xot a single terra- 
])in mider tAvo years of age rewarded the many carefid searches of an 
experienced terra])ii: limit! i-, though the young must l)e much more 
abundant than the older forms. 

It is of interest that on two of the only three occasions when terra- 
|)ins of two years of age were taken, they were found in groups. 
Thus on one day G were found within a small area in Gallants Creek ; 
on another day, 9 were taken not far apart. 



* Raccoons, crows, minks, hogs, rats, etc., are said to destroy eggs and young. 

f U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Bulletin No. 6. 
1895, pp. 48. 49. 

t He quotes also from Mr. Richardson: "The crow is known to catch young terrapins, and there 
is reason to believe that it destroys other small reptiles. I remember a rock-crowned hill on the 
east bank of the Wateree, between Manchester and Statesburg, in Sumter County, Ga. (intended 
for South Carolina), that was almost covered with remains of small terrapins and land tortoises 
carried there and devoured by crows." 



26 EEPKr)])rcTi(;)x ix tjie wilh state. 

Agassiz, speaking of a difference in lial»its of the young and adults 
in some species of Clielonia, says : 

Nothing conld prove more directly tliis (lift'tToiicc iu tlie unule ot life of tlie 
young and adult than the fact that though IJnnis iii-sciiljitii is so c-oninion in 
the neighhorhood of Lancaster, alunit 4() niiles from Boston, that I have at 
times collected over one hundred in an afternoon, aided by a few friends. I 
have never yet been able to obtain a single young si)eciinen of the first year, 
even though a whole school of men were called in to aid in the search. 
Professor Baird has found the same ditheulty in obt.nining young Eiiiijs riKjosn 
for me.* 

It is reasonably certain that the young of dianKunhhack terrapin, 
as of some others, do not begin to eat until the following s]n-ing. 
!New-born terrapins ke])t tmtil spring, as well as a s])ecimcn collecteLl 
in tlie spring, show u(.> evidence (d' post-enibryonie growth. 

RATE OF GROWTH. 

To determine the practicability of In'ocding, it is quite important 
to know the rate of growth. Unfortunately we cannot well foll()W 
the lifediistory of individual terrapins in nature, but we may, from 
the markings of the horny scutes of the cara]iace and plastmu, com- 
pttte with approximate certainty the ages <d" some terrajdns <:d" vari- 
ous sizes. Judging from such evidences. terra]uns seem as varialde 
in rate of growth as in so many other res])ects. 

The manner of growth of the shell may hrst l)e lu'ieily recalled. 
The hiorny shield of a terrapin is covered by thin, horny scales or 
scutes, disposed in several series. As the terra])in grows each scute 
extends its area perijdierally aud, commonly, iu all directions. Thus, 
with each period of gi'(»wtli, a ring of new tissue is added, separated 
froui the central a.rea (drcnla), or the ]n'e('e(ling ring, l)y a line of 
deju'essiou. Wliile ihese rings are sjioken of as "concentric.'' the term 
mnst 1)0 taken \v\\\i a reservation, for growth is not eijual in all direc- 
tions. On the contrary, all scutes, exce])t those rd' the au.terior nuir- 
gius of eara]iace and ])histrou. grow more anteriorly than jMisterioriy : 
hence the rings are decide dly rrrcnirtc. the center (d' each ring Ijeing 
(on most of the scutes) anterior to that of the preceding ring (see 
PI. XI\\ A aud P., aud PL XV'). Agassiz inter].reted these rings 
as representing annual peri<:Ml'^ of growth. -f aud my observations cou- 



* Louis Agassiz: Natural History of the United States, Vol. I, p. 294. 

f » * * "We find upon the surface of each scale, around a small angular central plate (the 
plate of the first year's growth) [i. c, the year of the incubation — R. E. C] a smaller or greater 
number of concentric stripes or regular annual rings, as they are exhibited on a transverse section 
of an old tree." Loc. cit., p. 259. 



kepeoductio:n' ix the wild state. lii 

iinii this interpretation, with the qualiiications to be given in suc- 
ceeding paragraphs. Tliiis, in case of terrapins carefully described 
and marked and kept for a year, the growth (slight in close confine- 
ment) conld, before measnrement, be detected from the new ring on 
each scute. Two terrapins hatched at the Laboratory presented, 
after two seasons of growth, two distinct rings around the areola on 
each scute. 

Undoubtedly, it is true, as a rule, that a distinct line of depression 
represents a period of cessation from growth ; and, consequently, that 
the rings between successive lines represent the growth of a year. 
When, however, an attempt is made to compute ages from the num- 
bers of rings, several comjilications are met with : 

1. Doubtless any period of cessation of growth produces a more 
iir less distinct line. Often when the annual rings are distinct 
enough, each ring is seen to be faintly subdivided (see Pis. XI and 
XV) ; and again these subordinate lines may l^e so distinct, or the 
main lines so indistinct, that it is quite impossible to decide with any 
assurance how many years are represented by the rings observed, 
(cf. PL II, B). 

2. Many shells, particularly the older ones, have become very 
smooth through the shedding of the outer horny layers. For wdiile 
the rings are not merely superficial, but are engraved in the l)ones 
beneath, yet, when the outer layers of horny matter peed away, the 
bone itself becomes smooth, and the rings may be entirel}' obliterated. 
(See PI. II, A, and cf. text below, p. 33). 

3. In older terrapins the growth is so slow and the rings are so 
small that they cannot ordinarih^ be distinguished. 

As a result of one or more of these complications, the age of a 
given terrapin cannot usually be stated with satisfactory assurance. 
Ordinarily the rings of the younger terrapins (aged 1 to 3 years) 
can readily be interpreted ; but one commonly puts down an older 
terrapin with a feeling of uncertainty as to the number of years rep- 
resented by the rings. Xo other apology, then, need be made for the 
small amount of data offered here in regard to rate of growth. The 
data that follow are given for what they are worth, with the under- 
standing that there is not to be inferred from them the average rate 
of growth of our diamond-back terrapin. 



28 



];i:pi:oDrcTi()x ix the wild state. 



New-lxirii tcnT;i])iris lucnsiiri.- alxnit 1 inch. Iciigtli (if plastron,"" ;ni<l 
this iiiav It;' taken as, aitpvoxiniatcly, the average length at the elesi.' 
(if the winter following the season of post-eniln-ycinie growth (PI. IX, 
I!). Tliere is, however, nineh variation in size and shape at ])irth. 
The aetnal nieasnrenients (in inches) of fonr were: 



;IZE OF Xi:W-BORX TERKAl'IXS. 



Number. 


Inches. 


1 - - 


1.10 
.98 
.96 
.96 


9 


^ 


4 _ . 





Only one terra] )in was feiind with one ring of gr(iwth. This one 
was taken ]\ray 2S, 1!)04, and it measured 1.7 (> inches. As the ring 
was iindonhtedly f(trine(l dnring tlie ])receding season, the growth 
dnriiig that season was alxmt ^ inch. PI. XT, .V, shows the l)egin- 
ning <>f the formation of tlie first ring of growth. 

The length of 14, eacli (if which had two distinct rings of growth, 
were : 

LEXCTII OF TERRAPINS WITH 2 RlXfiS OF GROWTH. 



Inches. 


Inches. 


2.62 


3.04 (v. PI. XI, C) 


2.72 


3.04 


2.74 


3.06 


2.74 


3.12 


2. 78 


3.14 


2.84 


3.24 


2.84 




2.92 (PI. XI, B) 





The average of these lengths is 2.s;; inches (range 2.02 to r,.24'). 
Tims in 2 years the increase has been abont 2 inches. The conijtara- 
tive widths of inner and enter rings indicate that growth was greater 
dnring the tirst year than dnring the second u\) to the time of ca])- 
tnre; hut as tliese terra]iins were taken and measured in the latter 
|)art of Angnst, tlie growing season was hardly three-fonrths gone. 



■ As to manner of measurement, see footnote, p. 14, above. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE XI. 




., YOUNG TERRAPIN FROM TEXAS, 
SHOWING BEGINNING OF FOR- 
MATION OF FIRST RING 
OF GROWTH. 




B. TERRAPIN WITH 2 RINGS OF GROWTH. 2.Vtl 
INCHES LONG. 




TERRAPIN WITH 2 RINGS OF t;R(l\VTH .l.Di INCHES LONG. SHOWS 
BEGINNING OF THIRD RING OF GROWTH. 



EEPRODUCTION IN THE WILD STATE. 



29 



The difference at the end of the season wonld (h>ul)tless hare been 
slight. PL XI, B an<l (', show terrapins with 2 rings of growth. In 
PL XI, i\ thr rings are seen to be faintlv snl)divided. 

Taking an indivi<hial terrapin with two rings — one of those meas- 
nriiig 3.04 inches, for exani])h — we may bv aihlition of the several 
measnrements of the (ircohv of the scntes of the plastron, of the inner 
rings, and of the onter rings, respectively, compnte that at liirth the 
length of the plastron was abont one incli ; that during the second 
season, the first season of growth, the length incrcjiscd by 1.1 inches; 
and dnring the second season of growth, ii]) to S('|)tend)er, by 1.1> 
inches. It seems, therefore, that dnring the first tw(> years terrapins 
grow al)ont 1 inch each year. 

In older terrapins, the next few rings are slightly narrower. The 
.sizes of 7 females and -I males, each with o rino-s of growth, were : 



LEN(iTH OF TERRAPINS WITH 3 RINGS OF GROWTH. 



Females. 


Males. 


Inches. 


Inches. 


In chcs. 


3.19 


3.92 


3.04 


3.61 


4.06 


3.31 


3-86 (PI. Xn, A) 


4.38 


3.56 


3.87 




3.63 



The average size of the females was 3.84 inches (range 3.10 inches 
to 4.38 inches) ; of the males, 3.38 inches (3.04 to 3.(i.'> inches). As 
these terrapins were captured and measured at about tlie same season 
of the year as were the terrapins of 2 rings, the gain may be taken as 
that of a full year. This is, for females, nearly an incli ; for males 
considerably less. AX this age males are readily distinguished from 
females by the size and shape of the tail. Presumal)ly, too, the 
secondary sexual character, of slower growth, has asserted itself by 
this time so that a dift'erence such as that indicate(l in the figures 
al)ove may be characteristic at this age. PL XII, A and B. and 
PL XIII, A, show terrapins with 3 rings of growtli. 

Two females, each with 3 rings, selected at (^risfi(dd. ^Maryland, 
in April, 1003, measured 4.7 inches (PL XIII, A) and ."..0 inches, 
respectively. These were of course somewhat older than the terra- 
]iins on which were leased the measurements given above, for the two 
in question had comnh/ted their third season of iirowtli. 



30 



REPKc^DrCTIOX IX THE WILT) STATE. 



A speciiiieii sei'ii in the Baltimore market with -i rings, <listinct 
and inimistakable, measured 5.0 inches length of plastron. 

The measurements of females and 7 males, each with 4 rings of 
grov/th, were as follows: 

m:x(;th of ticrhapiXS with t rixos ov crowth. 





Females. 


Males. 


Inches. 


hiches. 


Inch es. 


Inches. 


3-98 


4.. 50 


3.04 


3.68 


4 04 


4.56 


3..-0 (i^hell) 


3.96 


4.06 


4.5S 


3.. 56 




4.2s 


4.70lPI.Xni, B) 


3.60 




4.40 




3.64 





The average for females is 4.34 inches (3. US to 4.70 inches), for 
males 3.."')7 inches {-■5.04 to 3. '.)<.; inches), ('nnijiaring these averages 
vith those gi\-('n for terrapins Avith 3 rings, a gain of a little over l/o 
an inch (0,('» inch) is indicated for females, with Init a slight increase 
(t>.l"J inch) fill- male-'. The lalter arc now nearing their adnlt size. 
The shell of a iVmale with 4 rings is shown in 1^1. XIII, B. 

()nlv a fi w showed ."i ( and onlv ~> ) riiii^s distinctly. Their meas- 
nrements were : 



I.EXGTII OF TERRAPINS WITH .i RIXi;S O/ GROWTH. 



Females. 


Males. 


Inches. 


Inches. 


/H,//fS. 


4.10 


5. .34 


3.74 


4.22 


5.40 


4.14 


4.4S 


5.60 (PI. XIV, A) 




4.74 







Tiie average for females, 4.S4 inches, coin])ared with the average 
for females witli 4 rings (4.34 inches), suggests a growth during the 
hfth year of al)out ^ •_. inch. Three of the above, how^ever, are more 
than 1^ incli al)ove the average for the seven, and show^ that a growth 
of about 44-2 inches during the first five years of gTOwth is possible. 
Five rings may be counted on the shell shown in Bl. XIV, A. 

It is not often that more than T) rings can l)e counted with assur- 
ance, 1)11 L a few siK'cimens mav be mentioned: 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE XIL 




N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE XIII. 





REPRODUCTION IX THE WILD STATE. 



31 



LENGTH OF TEERAPIXS WITH G. 7, AND S RIX'GS OF GKOW'TH. 



Females. 


Males. 


No. Rings. 


Inches. 


No. Rings. 


Inches. 


6 


4.2 


7(4?) 


5.5 




4.3 




5.9 




4.4 (PI. XIV. B) 




6.4 




5.4 


8 


5.5 (PI. XV, fig. 3) 


6 (-1- ?) 


5.3 


9 


5.5 




5.4 


11 


6.2 


7 


5.4 


12 


6.8 



I have, however, examined very few (i-ineh terrapins with reference 
to rings, and to jndge from the range of sizes of terrapins with 5 
rings, it is probable that with the observation of a hirger number of 
G-ineh terrapins we wouhl hnd some with fewer rings. Thns, among 
a nnmber of terrapins seen in the BaUimore market, a specimen was 
observed that had only 7 rings, bnt measnred 7I/4 inches, length of 
plastron. 

Two terrapins hatched from eggs laid at the Laboratory (referred 
to on p. 23 above) were living in the snmmer of IIK)."). They have 
lived all the time in a pen G by 12 feet, supplied by a small stream 
of fresh water. As no one was charged with their care, they were 
fed very irregnlarly, and it was to be expected that they wonld grow 
very slowly. Two years after they hatched, they measnred 2 inches 
and 1.!) inches respectively. The larger one is shown in PI. XV, figs. 
1 and 2. The first ring of growth is broad and more or less subdi- 
vided ; the second ring of growth is very small. 

As has been stated, we cannot infer from the small amount of data 
given, the average rate of grotvtli of MaJaclemmys cenirata. The 
figTires indicate possibilities and serve to show the wide variability 
of terrapins in respect of growth. The female of PI. XIV, B, was 
forming its sixth ring when killed, but it was only 4.4 inches in 
leng-th of plastron ; while we find terrapins with only 5 rings that are 
about 114 inches longer. 

To sum up the observations on rate of growth : 

A good rate is an inch or more each year for each of the first 2 
years, slightly less during the third year, and about 1/2 inch for 
each of the next two years. The average rate may be less, or, probably, 

3 



?>9, 



KEPRODUCTIOX IX THE WILD STATE. 



more. SoniotiiiK'S growth is more r;i])i<l, the terrapin reaching a 
length of oVC, inches in 5 years. 

A market size, 5 inches ("half counts''), may be attained in 5 
years, but this is ]n-obably not the rnle. Prol)ably few (I-inch terra- 
]>ins are less than 7 years of age and many may be still older when 
this length is reachecL 

The possibilities of growth in continement can only be ascertained 
after more extende<l ('X])eriments. 

It is possible that the great variability of terra})ins in res]iect of 
rate of growth may offer an opportunity, if l^reeding becomes an 
accomplished fact, of materially increasing the average rate of growth 
l)y selecting for 1)re(Mling purposes only those of more rapid growth. 

VARIATION. 

In almost every respect, diamoml-back terrapins exhibit a remarka- 
ble degree of diversity. In color, for example, we find very light 
yellowish or greenish specimens, while others have a very dark green 
or an almost dead black carapace; all intermediate forms occur with 
various conditions of marbling on the plastron, or concentric rings 
of color on the scutes of the carapace, etc. Equally striking are the 
variations in sizes and shapes of the specks or spots on the lighter or 
darker background of the skin of the neck. Hay"''" has described the 
color variations of terrapins from Enterjn'ise, X. C The size of 
head, depth of body, contours of carapace and plastron, shape and 
size of new-born, and size of eggs; all these pifints are subject to much 
variation. 

The marked di\-ersity in the horny scutes, and in the bony jdates 
underneath is treated by the ^vl■iter in separate pa]iers.f 

AVide differences in activity, boldness, promptness to take food, 
etc., are A'ery evident in penned terrapin; and perhaps as a result of 
these differences the rate of growth seems exceeilingly varialde. 

Agassiz says: "This species varies most remarkably in its color 
and sculpture, as well as in the size of the head.'':j: 

Bangs s])caks of the ''most extraordinary range (-)f individual varia- 
tions" and savs: "It is hard to find two terraifins alike. *'§ 



* Loc. cit., p. 15. 

t "Diversity in the Horny Scutes and Bony Plates of Chelonia."' Paper presented at annual 
meeting of Am. Loc. Zool.. December, 1904. Abstract in Science, N. S., Vol. XXl, No. 532. 1905. 

" Gadow's Hypothesis of Orthogenetic Variation in Chelonia." J. H. Univ. Circular, May, 1905. 

t Agassiz, Loc. cit.. p. 437. 

S Bangs, Outram, "An Important Addition to the Fauna of Massachusetts." Proc. Boston Soc. 
of Nat. Hist., XXVII, pp. 159, 161. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE XIV. 




N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE XV. 




FIGS. 1 AND 2, DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN 2 YEARS OF AGE, RAISED FROM EGG HATCHED AT LABORATORY. 
FIG. 3, SHELL OF DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN (FEMALE) WITH 8 RINGS OF GROWTH, 5.55 INCHES LONG. 



EErRODrCTIOX IIS" THE WILD STATE. 33 

MOULTING. 

The diversity in respect of moult ing lias been referred to al)Ove in 
connection with the rings of gTOwth. Agassiz thus refers to the 
monlting of Testndo : 

In Testndo the eastint,' off of the old epidermis is very different in different 
species, and even in dift"erent specimens of the same species. I Iimvc seen in 
many adnlt siiecimens of Xcrohatcs Caroliiiiis, and still more distinctly in some 
old specimens of Testudo racliata, the central plate of the scales, that is. the 
plate of the first year, perfectly preserved with all its tine i;-ranules. so shaped, 
indeed, that it seemed as if nothing had been cast frnm theii- snrface, while 
others were entirely worn ont. These facts show that fnrther oliservations are 
very mnch neeeled respectin.sr the moiilting of reptiles. Indeed, this subject 
requires to be studied anew in all vertebrata. (Agassiz, Lnc. cit.. p. 2()0. ) 

Sometimes in shedding s]ieciinens, the horiiv hiyer is so thin that 
the bony sutures show through it. It is of interest that, as has already 
been mentioned, the carapace becomes smooth by this ]n-ocess of 
moulting of the outer layers of the scutes. The sculpture of the shell 
is not a feature of the horny layer, alone, but is cut into the bone 
itself, so that the lines of growth, when present, slmw as well after 
the scutes are removed ; yet after the casting of the outer horny 
layers, not simply the scutes, but the bony plates as well, lose their 
markings and become smooth. The sculpture of the l)one seems to be 
an adaptation to that of the first-formed horny layers, and wlieu. the 
need of such adaptation is lost by the loss of these layers, the j)late3 
become smooth. Thus, in a specimen in which the stratum cornruju 
of two scutes was scraped oft" with a knife without a})])arent injury 
to tlie bone, the horny covering was regenerated ; but the concentric 
markings of the bone of the area operated on disapjieared during the 
regeneration. Elsewhere they were as evident as before the operation. 

DIFFERENCES OF SEXES. 

After about the second year of gr(:)wth, nuiles and females are 
readily distinguished by the size and shape of the tail, the proximal 
part of the tail of the male being very prominent. Coni]>are A and B 
of PI. Ill, of a male, with A and B of PL II, of a female. There are 
other sexual differences, such as the smaller head of the male and the 
more wedge-shaped posterior outline of the carapace in the same sex ; 



34 i;ki'K()I)UCTion ix the wild state. 

l»iit tlie most ri'lialjlo and constant distinguishing cliaractor is the 
taih- 

It is well known that the males do not attain so large a size as the 
females. The largest male I have measnred was 4.10 inches on the 
l)ottom shell, hut a dealer informs me he has had a male measnring 
5 inches. Females commonly attain a length of (> inches, often of 
7 or 8 inches. ]\[r. A. B. Riggins of Marshallbnrg, X. C, informed 
me that he had had a female measnring 9^/4 inches, and that ho once 
sold a d(:)zen measnring over 8 inches. -j- 

* Cf. Hay. Loc. cit., p. 15. 

t The males are of very inferior value on the market, where they are quoted as "Bulls." 



CHAPTER V. 

CULTIVATION OF THE DIAMOXD-BACK TERRAPIX AT 
LLOYDS, MARYLAND." 

SEASON OF 1904. 

The cultivation of the terrapin at LhDvds, McL, was begun l)y the 
United States I]ureau of Fisheries in 1004, and represents the con- 
tinuation of experiments that had been carried on during the preced- 
ing season at the same locality bv the Rev. E. L. Hubbard, who 
raised a few terrapins in a small pond. These formed the nucleus 
of the stock in the pond maintained bv the Bureau of Fisheries, which 
was under the supervision of Professor W. P. Hay, of "Washington, 
D. C. Early in 1904, a small pen, about 40 x 40 ft., was constructed 
by driving boards down into the marsh at the end <>f the pond, and 
the terrapin were transferred to it. Later in the season the pijiid was 
enlarged by the addition of four pens about 20 x 40 ft., and last sum- 
mer another addition of one large pen about 40 x 80 ft. was made. 
The first stock consisted of the terrapins mentioned above, and these 
have since been kept carefully separated from all later stock. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1904 about 150 terrapins of each sex, ranging in 
length from oYi iiic'hes to T^/'o inches, were ])urchased and di^^tributed 
in the pens. They were graded according to size (of the females), 
about 25 of each sex being placed in each pen. This was done in 
order to determine, if possible, the age at which the terrapin begins 
to lay and the number of eggs produced, and also to ascertain the rate 
of gTowth. As the season was so far advanced when the stock was 
purchased and so much of it was in poor condition, very little was 
accomplished, except to get the pen and its occupants into good con- 
dition for the following season. About 25 eggs were obtained, how- 
ever, which had been laid by the original stock of terra]un. These 
were transferred to sand-boxes and in about (i weeks they, all but 
one, hatched. 

The young terrapins were put into a small ]ien by themselves. 
Their habits from the first proved to be very astouisliing. They bur- 
rowed down into the ground and verv rarelv came t<» the surface, and 



* Notes given in this chapter relate to the cultivation of the terrapin at the pounds located at 
Lloyds, Maryland, and have been furnished by the Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of the 
Bureau of Fisheries. 



oG OULTIV.\ri()X OF DIAMOXD-BACK TEEKAPIX AT I-T.oYDS. :\rD. 

ne\-or entered the water except by accident. They coiihl not be in- 
dnccil to cat. When taken (int <>!' the uroiiiid and set free in their pen, 
s(inie hid tlieniselves at once, while others did their l)est to escape. 
Tliev seemed to liave no difficnlty whatever in climbing np the straight 
sides (»f the pen, and before we became aware of it, we had lost over 
half of them. Thinking to prevent their exit, a board was fastened at 
rigiit angles to th(^ \\'alls, shelfdike, all aroniul ; but even this did not 
st(_i}) tiiem. It is dithcidt to belie\'e tliat so (duiiisy a thing as a turtle 
can hang to the nnderside of even a rough board ; bnt there were abso- 
Intely no licdes in the pen throngh which a young terra])in could pass, 
and on one occasion one was found crawling along on top of the shelf. 
The |)en was covered wilh wire netting; so the herons, etc., were not 
res|)onsilile for tlie hiss, and we ha\'e no other ex])lanation of the facts 
exce})t that the young terrapin is a most extraordinary climber. 

SEASON OF 1905. 

The season of 1005 opened with everything in good condition, and 
in -Tune some of the larger terrapin began to lay. During this and 
the foUoAviuL;,- month about 120 eggs were secure<l and transferred, as 
before, to a box buried in and nearly tilled with sand. Most of the 
eggs were laid in the pens containing the original terra]»in (2 years 
at least in confinement) ; only a few of those purchased later pro- 
duced eggs. Quite a number of the eggs were not fertile and of 
course remaine<l unchanged during the 7 or 8 weeks that the fertile 
eggs recpiired to hatch (this sununer was colder than the preceding). 
Alxjut 75 young terra]»iu were secured and were put, early in Septem- 
ber, into a separate pen. The young of the ])receding year had 
esca|)ed or died, with the exception of seven. Of these, one had 
attained (in September) a length of nearly 2V4 intdies on the plast- 
ron, one had scarcely grown at all (original length about "s inch), 
and the others ranged between. Such of the older terrapin as re- 
tained the ta.us ])ut on them when measured and weighe(l innnedi- 
ately after purchase showed a growth ranging from ^ ■_> to 1-1 G of an 
inch and a slight increase in weight. With these results the season 
of 1005 came to a close. 



CULTIVATIOX OF DIA:\rO^'D-BACK TEEKAI'IX AT LLOYDS^ MD. 37 
SUMMARY. 

To sum up, the work at Llovcls has given us the foUowing facts: 

1. Terrapin will produce eggs when conhned in a pen. 

2. Some of the animals, at least, will lay after having been con- 
hned for at least two seasons. This is probably dependent upon 
their having plenty of food and an abundance of room. 

3. Most of the eggs produced are fertile and most of them wall 
hatch, even after having been transferred to suitable hatching boxes. 

4. The young terrapins are very different from the adults in their 
habits. They do not enter the w^ater nor do they take food until well 
along in the second season. 

5. The adults do not seem to be disposed to devour their young, 
l)ut on the other hand, they pay no attention to them, and would 
undoubtedly trample them to death or kee]) them from oljtaining 
food if all were put into the same pen. 

(3. The rate of gTOW^th is exceedingly variable. The variation in 
the young may be due to sex, but in adult females it varies from 
practically nothing to about % inch per year. 

7. Terrapins require an abundance of food. Crabs seem to be the 
favorite article, but they will also eat cabbage, fish, snails and such 
insects as may come wuthin their reach. Their jaw^s are weak, how- 
ever, and the food must be, ordinarily, chopped up before they can 
manage it. 



CHAPTER VI. 

CULTIVATIOX OF THE SXAPPIXG-TURTLE. OP SOFT- 
SHELL TORTOISE -SUPPOXr IX JAPAX. 



l'.Y K. MITSUKT KI. I'li.D.* 



INTRODUCTION. 

The phu'c <X'cn])ie(l among- gastroiiniiiical (lolicacics ])y the (liainniid- 
baek terrapin in America and bv the green turtle in England is taken 
by the "su})])on/' or the snapping-tnrtle, in Japan. The three are 
equally esteemed and equal!}' high-prieed, but the Japaiiese e|)ieiire 
has this advantage over his brothers of other lands — he has no hmger 
any fear of having the sujiply of the luscious reptile exhauste<l. This 
desirable condition is owing to the successful efl'orts of a ^Ir. Hattorb 
who has spared no ]»ains to bring his turtle farms to a high pitch of 
perfection and is able to turn out tens of thousands of these re])tiles 
every year. As his are, so far as I am aware, the only turtle farms 
in the world Avhich are highly successful, a description of his ( stab- 
lishment and methods will, I think, prove interesting and serve as a 
guide to those who may have similar undertakings in view. In ])ass- 
ing I may remark that I have known ^\y. Hattori these twenty 
years and have s]ient a number of summers on his original farm, 
collecting, with his kind consent, ample materials for my studies on 
the development of Chelouia. In return, ^Fr. Hattori is kind enough 
to say some of the facts and suggestions I have been able to give hiui. 
based on my embryological studies, have been of service in carrying 
out improvements. 

The Hattori family has lived a long time in Fukagawa. n suliurb 
of Tokyo, which lies on the "Surrey" side of the Suniida l^iver. and 
which, having been originally reclaimed from the sea, is low and fidl 

*This chapter is reprinted from a Bulletin of theU. S. Bureau of Fisheries for 1904. Vol. XXIV, 
pp. 260-266. This industry has reached an advanced stage in certain sections of Japan and has 
proved to be commercially successful. For this reason this chapter is reprinted in full in this report 
a5 it cannot help but be of a great deal of interest and value to those who are contemplating the 
cultivation of the terrapin, or vrho are interested in the advancement of this industry in North 
Carolina. 



CULTIVATIOjST of SNAPPING-TUUTLE IN JAPAN. 39 

of hunber ])on(ls" and Tiiitil recently paddy fields. The occupation 
of the family was that of collecting and selling river iishes sncli as 
the carp, the eel, and the crucian carp, and of raising gold-fishes, in 
addition to the ordinary farmer's work. As far back as in the forties 
of the last century, the high price commanded l)y the "su})pon" seems 
to have suggested to the father and the uncle of the present liattori 
the desirability of cultivating it, and this idea, once started, seems 
ne\'er to have been lost sight of, although lying in abeyance for a long- 
time. 

In 1866 the first large turtle was caught, and from then on addi- 
tions were made by purchase from time to time, so that in IS 68 there 
were fifteen, and l)y 1874 the number reached fifty, wliich ^vere all 
very healthy, with a good admixture of males and females. In 1875 
these were placed in a small pond of 36 tsubosf, with an island in the 
center, which was intended for the turtles to lay eggs on. They, 
however, seemed to prefer for this purpose the space l>etween the 
water-edge and the outer inclosure ; hence, to, suit the tastes of the 
reptile, the pond was hastily modified into a form very much like the 
one in use at the present day. That year over one liundred young 
were hatched, but, unfortunately, they were allowed to enter the 
pond in which the adults lived, and all but twenty-three of them were 
devoured, making it evident that some means were necessary to pro- 
tect them from their unnatural parents. Thus was gradually evolved 
the present system of cultivation. 

DESCRIPTION OF TURTLE FARM. 

In general appearance a turtle farm is at a first glance nothing but 
a number of rectangular ponds, large and small, the large ones having 
a size of several thousand tsubos. The ponds are undergoing constant 
modification, being united or separated just as need arises, so that 
their nund)er may vary considerably at different times. Fig. 1 gives 
the plan of the liattori turtle farm at Fukagawa as at ]n-esent laid 
out. There pass through the farm two small canals which communi- 
cate on the one hand with the river across the i-oad, and on the other 
with the ponds, so that the water can be drawn into, or emptied from, 
each of them at will. 



* Ponds in which lumber is kept soaked in water. 

tOne tsubo, an area 6 feet square, is the unit in the measurement of small land surfaces. 



40 



CaiLTlVATlOX OF SXAPPIKG-TURTLE IN JAPAN. 



All pomls, Avlictlior large or small, arc eonstrncted very much 
on the same plan. They are limited on their four sides by plank 
walls, the top of which may either be on the level of the ground (see 
the right side of the section, fig. 2) or may be more than a foot above 
the ground when two ponds are contiguous (the left side, fig. 2). In 
either case the plank wall has a cross plank of some width at right 
angles to it on its top, and is also buried some inches in the ground. 
The former arrangement is, of course, to prevent the tortoises from 
(diird)ing over the wall, and the latter to ]u-event them from digging 
lioles in the ground and making their escape in that wav, while at the 




River 
Fig. 1 — Plan of a Turtle Farm in Japan. 



same time it serves to exclude the moles. On the inner side of the 
plank wall there is more or less of a level space, and then a downward 
incline of ;] or 4 feet. At the foot of this incline and directly around 
the water's edge there is another level space which enables people to 
walk around the ])ond. From the edge of the water the bottom of the 
pond deepens rather rapidly for a s])ace of some o feet and there 
reaches the general level of the bottom, which is about 2 feet below 
the le\-el of the water. The greatest de])th of a pond is about o feet 
and is always toward the water-gate 1)V which the pond communi- 



CULTIVATION OF S:N'APPIXG-TUKTLE IN JAPAN. 



41 



eates with the canals. The bottom is of soft, dark mnd, several inches 
thick, into which the tortoises are able to retire to pass the winter. 
On a turtle farm one or more of the ponds is always reserved for 
large breeding individuals, or "parents," as they are called. The jnst- 
hatched yonng or the lirst-year ones must have ponds of their own, as 
nmst also the second-year ones; those of the third, fourth, and fifth 
vears may be more or less mixed. 




I 



® 



Fig. 2— Section and Plan of a Turtle Pond in Japan. 



In order to give a cunnected account of the raising of t<»rt(jises, we 
might begin with a description of the pond for hirge br( cding indi- 
viduals, or "parents, '■ and with an account of egg-laying and hatch- 
ing. 

The "parents' pond'' docs not diifer in any remarkable way from 
the general plan of a pond given above. Usually one of the largest 
ponds is chosen, and it can be distingiiished from the others, because 
one or two of its slopes are usually kept up very carefully, while the 
other slo2')es or those of other jxaids are a])t to lie worn by rain and 
wind and to become rugged. These well-kept slopes are invariably 
on the warmer sides, where the sun pours down its midsummer rays 
longest, and are carefully worked over in the spring so that the tor- 



42 CL'LTIVATIOX OF iSXAPn^'G-TUETLE IX JAPAN. 

toises will find it easy to dig boles in them. In the breeding season 
these sides are seen to hf eovered Avitb wire Ijnskets which mark the 
places where the eggs have been laid. 

LAYING AND NESTING HABITS OF TURTLES KEPT IN CONFINEMENT. 

Copidation takes place on the snrface of the water in the spring. 
Egg de]M.)siti()n begins in the last ])art of Alay and conrinnes ii]) to 
the middle of Angust. Each female lavs during that time 2 to -4: 
deposits, the ninnber differing with in<lividuals and with years. '^ 
The ])rocess of egg deposition is very interesting. A female comes ont 
of the water and wanders al)i:)ut a little while on the banks of the 
pond in search of a suitable locality in which to deposit eggs. Having 
finally chosen a s])ot. witli lier head directed u]) the bank she firndy 
ini|)lants her outstretclied forefeet on the earth, and during the whole 
operation never removes these. The process of egg deposition, which 
takes altogether about 20 ininutes, may be divided into three portions 
occu])ying about the same length of time, namely: (1) digging a 
hole, (2) dro]>])ing e,u;us in it, and ( -'] ) closing the hole. The digging 
of the hole is done entirt'ly with the hind legs. Each with its nails 
outstretched is moved hrndy from side to side — that is, the right 
foot from right to left and the left from left to right, and the two are 
worked in a regular alternation, while the body is swayed a little from 
side to side, accompanying the motion of the legs. The force put in 
the lateral pressure of the feet is so strong that the earth that has 
Ix'cn dug out is sometimes thrown oft" to a distance of 10 feet or more, 
although the largest part of it is heaped up around the hole. Digging 
seems to be continued as long as there is any earth within the reach 
of the legs to be brought u]). The result is a squarish hole with the 
angles roun(le(| ofi', nnd iiltliouuli its size dift'crs Avith the size of the 
female, it is generally about 3 to 4 inches across at the entrance, with 
the (k'pth an<l width inside about 4 inches or more. When digging is 
finished eggs are dropped from the cloaca into the liole, which mitu- 
rally lies just Ixdow it. The eggs are hea]>ed uj) without any order, 
but, there being no chalaza-, the yolk is able to rotate in any <]irection, 
and tlie blastoderm, having the least specific gravity, always occupies 
the highest s]iot of the yolk in whatever position the egg may hap])en 
to l)e dropped. The eggs are generally spherical in sha]ie, although 

* See my notps: "How many times does the snapping-turtle lay eggs in one season?" Zoological 
Magazine, Vol. VH, p. 143, 1895. Tokyo. 



IN. \^. ^rjKJLiKJKjl\^I\Li OUXVVH,!. 



tSUl^ljJ?,iilM 14. fluAltj AVI. 




A, I-:r,C, DEPOSIT.S OF TRIONYX COVERED WITH Willi': HASKiri'; 




B, ARRANGEMENT FOR COLLECTING YOUNG TURTLES JUST HATCHED. 



CULTIVATION OF SXAmXG-TURTLE IN JAPAN. 4o 

sometimes more or less oblate. Their diameter is in the neighbor- 
hood of 20 millimeters, the largest being as large as 2-1: millimeters, 
the others smaller according to the size of the females. The nnmber 
of eggs in one deposit varies from IT or 18 np to 28 or more, the 
smaller individuals producing the smaller number. 

When the eggs have all been deposited, the turtle's legs are again 
put in requisition, this time to till up the hole, which is done by alter- 
nate motions as before. The earth about the hole is used at first, but 
search is made for more loose earth for a little distance, as far around 
as the legs can reach with a slight motion of the bodv either to the 
right or left without moving the front legs. Toward the end of the 
process the loose earth is trampled down. When the hole is well filled 
up to the level of the ground, the turtle turns around and goes imme- 
diately down into the water, not easting even one backward glance. 

I have noticed an interesting contrast between the behavior of 
Trionyx and of Clemmi/s during the egg deposition. If one wants to 
watch a Trionyx depositing eggs, one has to crawd on all fours behind 
the plank wall of the pond and peep through a hole, being careful 
not to show himself. The moment the snapping-turtle sees any one, 
it stops in whatever part of the egg-laying process it may be engaged 
and plunges straight into the water. Utterly difl:"erent is the be- 
havior of Clemmys. When once it begins the process of egg-laying it 
is never deterred from carrying it out, no matter how near or how 
boldly one may approach. Whenever I watched Clemmys Avorkiug 
away in the direct midsummer rays w^ith its carapace all dried up and 
with its eyes alone moist, I could not help comparing it to a slave of 
duty fulfilling his fate with tears in his eyes. What causes such a 
difl'ercnce of behavior in the two species ? What is its significance '( 
What difference in the nervous system corresponds to it? 

The traces of a spot where the snapping-turtle has laid eggs are (1) 
the two marks made by the forepaws holding on to the earth during 
the whole operation, and (2) a disturbed place some distance back 
of the line of the forepaws where the hole has been made. The 
three marks are at the angles of a triangle. I have noticed a very 
interesting fact in regard to these traces. W^hen a young female is 
depositing her first eggs, she is very clumsy, the hole being badly 
made and the filling in of it very imperfect, so that often a part of it 
remains open. Old females are extremely neat in their doings, and 
one can determine at once the ae-e and size of the female bv the skill 



44 CL'LTINATJOX ()F .SXAPPIXCi-TLiriLE I^s JAPAX. 

(lis})layed and by the distance between the three marks of egg' deposi- 
tion. This sho^^■s that althong'h the ehi borate actions necessary in 
egg'dajdng ninst l>e, in the main, due to instinct, each individual has 
to a(hl its own ex])erieuce to the inherited im]>ulses and is able thus 
only to accom})lish the desired end with perfection. 

in Ilattori's farm a person goes around the "parents' pond"' once 
a <lay or so and covers up with wire baskets all the new deposits made 
since the last visit (PI. XVI, A). Each basket may be marked with 
the <hite if necessary. Tliis covering serves a twof(.ild pui'pose — the 
ob\ious one of mai'king the place, and in addition that of keeping 
otiicr females fr<tm digging in tlie same s])0t. When huuilreds, or 
(Acii thousands, of these baskets are seen ahmg the l)ank <d' a "parents' 
pond," it is a sight to gladden the heart of an embrvologist, to say 
nothing of tliat of the pro[irietor. 

The hatching of the eggs takes, on an average, 60 days. The time 
may l)e consideral)ly sliortened or lengthened, according to whether 
the summer is hot and the sun pours down its strong rays day after 
day, or whether there is much rain and the heat not great. It may 
become less than 40 days or more than 80 days. By the time the 
last dejiosits of eggs are nnide in the middle of August, the early ones, 
which were laid in ]\lay or June, are ready to hatch : and inasmuch 
as if snuill tortoises that have just emerged from the eggs are alloAved 
to get into the "|)areuts' ]^ond" they are devoured by their unnatural 
fathers and mothers, a s])ecial arrangement has now to be put up to 
prevent this. Plate XVI, B, and the left side of the ]dan in iig. 2 
are intended to show this arrangement. Long ])lanks about S inches 
wide are put u]i lengthwise around the edge of the ])oud, leaving 
]ierha])s 1 fo<it liiargin between them and tlie water. Two successive 
]danks are not placed contiguous, but a space of about 3 feet is left 
between every two, and closed l\v a bamlioo screen put ^\]^ in the shape 
(4' an arc of a circle, with its convexity t<:»ward the ]>oud. Thus the 
slo](e or the baid\: where the eggs liave lieen de]iosited is couipletely 
eut oif from the ]iou<l itself. In the center of every ])ocket4ike arched 
s])ace made by a bamboo screen an earthenware jar is ]daced Avith its 
to]) on the level of the gr<:iund. and souie water is ]iut in it. This 
elaborate arrangement is for the reception of the young tortoises, 
wliich, as soon as they break through the egg-shells — those lielonging 
to tlie same deposit generally coming out at the same time — crawl u]") 
to tlie surface of the o-rouud bv a hole or holes made bv themselves, and 



CULTIVATION OF SNAPPING-TURTLE IN JAPx\.N. 



45 



go straight down the incline toward the pond, as naturall}' as the 
dnckling takes to the water. Thev are stopped, however, in their 
downward hydrotaxic course by the planks put up, as stated before, 
around the pond, and they crawl along the length of the planks and 
sooner or later drop into the jars placed in the recesses between every 
two planks. A man going around once or twice a day can easily col- 
lect from these jars all the young hatched since the last visit. 

CARE OF YOUNG TURTLES. 

The young just hatched are put in a pond or ponds by themselves 
and given tinely-('h(i])])('d meat (if a hsh like the pilchard. This is 
continued through September. In October Trioni/x ceases to take 
food, and linally burrows int(,) the muddy bottdui of the pond to 
hibernate, coming out only in April or ^lay. The youug are called 
the first-year ones until they come out of their winter sleep, when 
they are called the second-year young. At first the same kind of food 
is given these as that given to the first-year young, but gradually this 
may be replaced by that given to older individuals, namely, any fish, 
meat or crushed bivalves, etc. From the third to the fifth year, 
inclusive, the young need not be kept in ponds strictly according to 
age, but may l)e more or less mixed, if necessary. The young of these 
years are also the best and most delicate for eating and are the ones 
most sold in the market. In the sixth year they reach maturity and 
may begin to dejxisit eggs, although not fidly vigorous till two or 
three years later. How old these snapping-turtles live to be is not 
known. Those 1 foot and more in length of carapace must l:)e many 
years- old. The following table gives the average size of the carapace 
and the weight of the voung: 



Age. 



Just hatched . 

First year 

Second year - 

Third year 

Fourth year - 
Fifth year — 



Length in Breadth 

centime- ' in centi- 

ters. I meters. 



2.7 
4.5 
10.5 
12.5 
16.0 
17.5 



2.5 

4.2 
8.8 
10.5 
13.5 
15.1 



Weight in 
grams. 



169 
300 
563 
750 



One of the most important questions in turtle-farming is that of 
food sup23ly. The profit depends largely on whether a constant sup- 



4G CULTIVATION OF SNAPPING-TUirfLE IX JAPAN. 

ply of Iiealtliful food can be obtained cheaply and abnndantly. In 
tlie Hattori farm chief de])endence in this respect is laid on the 
"shiofnki'" shell (Macfra rencrifonnis Deshayes) which occnrs in 
enormous quantities in the Bay of Tokyo. These shells are crushed 
under a heavy millstone rolled in a long gToove in which they are 
placed. Other kinds of food given are any dried fish scraps, silk- 
worm pupae, l)oiled wheat grains, etc. 

A curious j^art of the ecological relations of a turtle pond is this: 
It would 1)0 sup}iosed that putting other aniuials in the same ])ond 
with the snapping-turtles w^ould be detrimental to the welfare of the 
latter, but experience has proved just the contrary. It is now found 
best to ])ut such fishes as carp and eels in the same ponds Avith the 
turtles. The reason, I am told, is that these fishes stir up mud and 
kee]i the water of the pond always turbid, and this is essential to the 
wclhbeing of the turtles, as is ])r(»vc(l wlieu the luessmates are taken 
out of the ])ond. Dirt and mud then settling down, and the water 
becoming clear and transparent, the turtles, Avliich are extremely 
timid, will not go al)out searching for food, an<l thus very undesirable 
results are brought about. 

SUMMARY. 

The business of turtle-raising has thrived well. When I first be- 
came acquainted with the turtle farui, now over twenty years ago, it 
was a small affair with only a few' snuill ponds, and the eggs hatched 
out in one year were, all told, uot much over 1,000. 'Now the enter- 
prise end;)races three estal)lishuients: (T) The original farm at Fu- 
kagaw'a, Tokyo, now enlarged to 7 acres; (2) the large farm at 
]\raisaka, near Tlamamatsu, proviuce of Totonii, over 25 acres, 
whither the nuiin ])art of the business has been transferred; and (3) 
the second farm in Fukagawa, about 2 acres in extent. These three 
establishments together will yield this year (100-1) about 1-,100 egg- 
deposits, which means 82,000 eggs, countiug 20 eggs to a deposit on 
an average. Probably 70,000 young will be hatched from these, and 
deducting 10 ju-r cent loss b"foi'j' the third year, there will lie about 
(!0,()00 ''suppon" ready for the market in three years. The turtles 
sold in a year iu Osaka, Tokyo, Xagoya, and a few other towns, weigh 
about 2,000 kwan (= lt>,r)00 pounds), and arc worth about G.50 to 
7. DO yen (1 yen = $0.r)0) per kwan. 

There are several minor turtle farms besides those mentioned 
above, but as they are all modeled after those under Mr. Ilattori's 
manaii'cmeut thev nee*] not l)e dcscrilicd further. 



CHAPTER VII. 
ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE DIAMO^td.baCK TERKAPIX. 

The follov,-ing" chapter has been prepared in order to call special 
attention to the economic value of the diamond-hack Terrapin, the 
present condition of this indnstry, and its future prospects. Infor- 
mation regarding these points has been obtained chiefly from market- 
men, shippers, and fishermen with wli(»m the author has had an 
opportunity to talk at various times. 

MARKET VALUE OF THE TERRAPIN. 

The diamond-back terrapin owes its importance as a food ])roduct 
not to its abundance, but to the exceptionally tine quality of its 
meat. Holding, as it docs, an almost unrivaled position as a fancy 
food article, its increasing scarcity in the regions most favorable for 
its growth has caused it to become probably the highest-})riced food 
product of the coast waters. '•"" Formerly the very high prices were 
paid only for terrapins from the Delaware and Chesapeake bays and 
other northern waters. As the form became scarcer in these l)ays, 
shippers of Chesapeake terrapins replenished their stock with terra- 
pins from North Carolina waters. Sometimes these w^ere kept for a 
short time in pounds on the Chesapeake Bay ; then were mixed with 
native terrapins and shi]^])ed to the northern markets as true "(Chesa- 
peake" terrapins. It is certain, too, that some South Carolina terra- 
pins were brought into.]!^orth Carolina to be shipped with terrapins 
of the latter State to the Chesa])eake and thence to the city nuirkets. 
In time, however, it was learned that many of the North Carolina 
diamond-backs were scarcely, if at all, inferior to the more northern 
terrapins, and it became less and less necessary to allow a middle 
profit to the Chesa])eake d"aler. At the pre-ent tiii'e probaldv very 
few Xortli CJarolina terrapins are ship|)od ti) th'"" city wholesale 

* Six-inch terrapins bring, at wholesale, $30 to $36 per dozen. Seven-inch terrapins may bring 
$60 or more per dozen. I have been informed (by the sellers) of two sales, each of one dozen eight- 
inch terrapins. It is doubtful if there have been other sales of as many of this rare size at one time. 
In one case $96 was received for the dozen, and in the other $120. According to market-men, fre- 
quently one or two selected terrapins are bought at retail at the latter rate or higher. The length 
is measured on the bottom shell. The larger terrapins are all females or "hens." The males or 
"bulls" are rarely much over 4 inches in length. After many inquiries I have heard of one male 
that measured 5 inches, and of one female that measured as high as 9^4 inches. "Bulls" are usually 
quoted at about $12 per dozen. Many undersized females are probably included as "bulls." 

4 



40 ECONOMIC VALUE OF DIAMO^^D-BACK TEKRAPIN. 

markets as "Cliesapeakes/'' altlioiigli tliey may be sold as such to the 
consumer. Probably the great majority of South ( ■arolina cliamoiid- 
l)aeks were formerly, as now, shipped to the markets direct from 
Charleston and other points in the State ; but it appears that they 
eonnnand a somewhat lower price tlian what is ]iaid for those from 
Xorth Carolina, which is in turn, on the whole, lower than that paid 
for Chesapeakes. (}uite recently the Gulf States have entered the 
market — at first, as seems c[uite certain, in an indirect way. That 
is, their terrapins were first shipped to JMaryland and Virginia 
dealers and resold then by them to the market-men of Baltimore, 
Xew York, and other cities. 

Thus, while the highest prices are still pai<l for "Chesapeakes," 
real or supitosed. and in a somewhat less degree for terrapins from 
Xorth Carolina, the rise in price has been checked l)y the increasing 
willingness of consumers to accept at a lower price the forms from 
more soutliern waters. This is a fact of some ])ractical importance, 
for if it is found that breeding and growing terrapins for market 
does not present too great practical difficulties, the prospective dealer 
will 1)0 interested in the question of how far the advance in prices 
that has ('ontinue(l for many years may be ex])ected to continue. 

It seems certain tliat the demand for terrapin is a permanent one, 
based on the (piality of the meat and the willingness of those who can 
aiford it to ])ay the necessary price; and with the increase in popula- 
tion an<l in wealth, the demand will not les-un, l)iit will grow. If, 
however, a steadily increasing proportion of the consumers is content 
with the terra] (ins from th.e rich \vaters of more southern States, or 
with, other species of turtle, judces may not be ex])e('ted to rise in the 
near future. In fact, it would seem that prices reached their high- 
water mark more ihan five years ago, and that since that time there 
has been no ])ernmnent advance. 

On the contrary, greater and greater inroads into the market have 
been made by soutliern diamond-backs, and more and more of the 
demand has been diverted to fi'csh-water terrapins, such as the various 
"sliders" and the "Western Golden Stripe," species of Pseuclrmi/s 
and Grapic)i}i/s. etc. In time, of course, if in the iisheries of south- 
ern waters and in the fresh-water fisheries there ]u'evails the same 
short-sightedness that has caused the gradual exhaustion of more 
northern waters. a]>])roxiuiate extermination must ensue there as 
elsewhere ; and then, if tastes do not change, ]')rices may go yet higher. 



ECONOMIC VALUE OF DIAMOXD-EACK TERRAPIX. 49 

RELATIVE FOOD VALUE. 

In discussing the relative value of terrapins from clift'orent States, 
ve have referred not to relative food valnes, Imt to market valnes. 
The terrapin market is distinctly a "fancy" market, and in it certain 
types of terrapin rank higher tlian others. How far this ranking is 
based on actual diiferences in quality, it vould be dilticult to say. 
On the one hand, it is certain that the market estimate has under- 
gone modification in recent years, and it has been discovered that 
southern forms are better than was supposed. On the other hand, 
it is quite possible, perhaps probable, that the differences in environ- 
mental conditions in different regions are fully adequate to produce 
distinct differences in the quality of the meat. In fac*:, such struct- 
ural differences are disting-uishable as have made necessary the break- 
ing wip (by Professor Hay) of what was originally regarded as one 
species into several geographic species and subspecies. We have a 
Texas species, a Louisiana species, a Florida species, a Carolina 
species and a Chesapeake subspecies of the latter. 

The market also recognizes distinct types, but the classification 
most generally used among market-men is the gross one of '"Chesa- 
peakes'' and "Southerns." The ''Chesapeake" type can hardly be 
disting-uished with certainty except by an expert market-man; but, 
generally speaking, it may be said to be characterized by a smaller 
head, deeper body, more clearly marked rings of growth, and a cara- 
pace that flares posteriorly. Compare PI. IT, A and B. One who 
talks with market-men and examines terrapins in the market or in 
the field becomes convinced that not all '^Chesapeakes" in market 
terminology come originally from the Chesapeake Bay. 

Even in jSTorth Carolina terrapins from one locality look l:)etter 
than those from another. The diamond-backs from Core Sound seem 
to present a better api^earance than those from Beaufort Harbor. 
Some of the most highly valued terrapins of the State are found 
about Hyde County and neighboring shores ; but I have lieen informed 
by a leading dealer in the Baltimore market that he sometimes re- 
ceives from AYilmington and elsewhere terraj'jins that are quite indis- 
tinguishable from '"'Chesapeakes," and that the resemblance in char- 
acter and quality of meat is equally close. AVithout careful study 
of this particular point it cannot be stated just what is the relative 



50 ECOXo:>IlC VALUE OF DIAINIOXD-BACK TEKEAPIX. 

prv)portion of the two types in Xortli Carolina, nor in v\-iuit loL-aliiies 
iKir under what environmental conditions the more desiradile forms 
are to be found. Undoubtedly, however, the "Southern" form ])re- 
dominates in ]N"<n'th (^ii'dliiia. 

Although terrapins are much m(ire abundant toward the south, 
tlie larger sizes, such as 7-inch terrapins (length of bstttoui shell), are 
relatively nmcli less al)undant. 

THE TERRAPIN INDUSTRY IN NORTH CAROLINA. 

The scarcity of the diamonddxich in tlic State is direcrly allrilnita- 
ble to the short-sighted methods of fishery employed. Formerly they 
were verv abundant. ]\rany more or less reliable str)ries are told of 
its abundance. According to one that is Itelieved to lie authentic, these 
terra])ins were once an occasion of mucli annoyance in the Stmnpy . 
r(-)int 15av region, it being sometimes necessary ta lose a haul of fish 
because the quantity of terrapins unavoidably taken when hauling a 
net near the marshes prevented the drawing in of th'.^ net. Fifty 
vears ago, when the fishery products of Carteret County were either 
used only for home consumption or else abnost entirely neglected, 
terrapins were bought for seventy-five cents \)or dozen. 

It seems to have been in the late sixties that sliip]ung to n<"»rthern 
markets began. At first the prices were (pute small as c<impared to 
present prices — about .$."b()0 per dozen for .l-inch terrapins or 'dialf- 
counts," and $0.00 ^^H:y d(»zen for (Much or ''fnll-c<:)unts,'" in market 
terminology. Steadily the ]»rice vn<o nntil a few years ago O-inch 
terr;i])ins slii])])ed fmm Deaufort bi-onaht $ir..00 in summer to 
.$24.00 per dozen in winter. Xow, in. winter, the only sea-^on in 
which they are shii.ped, that size may bring .^••]0.00 to -$:^.().00, the 
Inghest prices ordinarily ]iaid for this size. Prol^ably the greater 
])art of the terrapins shipped are undersized and sell at very much 
lower ju'ice^. 

AVe have l)ut feAv figures regarding the extent of this fishery in 
Xorth Carolina, bnt from inquiries made in 1002 of dealers in Beau- 
fort, :\roreliead City, and ^Niarshallburg, it is believed that the ship- 
ments from these three jMiints dnring the ]U'ecetling season flttOl-'OS) 
wonld not far exceed ;),(t(iO of all sizes. Terra])ins are also shipped 
from Wilmington, Xew Bern, Washington, Bell ITaven, Stnmpy 
Point, Manteo, and other points. 



ECONOMIC VALUE OF DIAMOIS'D-BACK TEKRAPIX. 



51 



In the followina; table there is given the yiehl of the terrapin 
fishery of Xorth Carolina in 1807 and in 1902, as given in the U. S. 
Fish Commission Report for 1807 and 1002, respectively: 



County. 



Beaufort 

Brunswick 

Carteret 

Dare 

Halifax 

New Hanover . 

Onslow 

Pamlico 

Pasquotank — 

Pender 

Total , 



1897. 



Pounds. Number. Value, 



4,500 
6,428 
6.251 



17, 179 



630 
1.000 
1,185 



,160 



2,815 



Pounds. Number. Value 



1,000 
4,800 
1,660 
7,472 

433 
1.500 
3,500 

480 
2,935 
7,000 



400 

1,060 

1,060 

4,140 

260 

450 

1,100 

265 

147 

2,160 



30, 780 



15,390 



11,042 



These figures show that the yield of terrapin has increased from 
8,160 in 1897 to 15,300 in 1002, and that this increase has been 
brought about by the extension of the fishery from 3 counties in 
1897 to 10 in 1902. The numl>er taken in C^arteret County in 1902 
is about one-fourth that taken five years earlier. Dare and Bruns- 
wick have each increased their apparent yield, but Dare draws largely 
from Hyde County (not credited), and it is iiractically certain that 
Brunswick fishermen bring terrapins from South Carolina. 

While the number credited to the 10 counties in 1902 is 89 per 
cent greater than the number credited to 3 counties in 1897, the 
value of the terrapin to the fishermen is greater by 292 per cent. 
Had the 15,000 terrapin taken in 1902 been of full size, the value 
should have been tAvofold greater. 

The average price received by fishermen has more than doubled 
in the five years from 1897 to 1902, but this price at the latter time 
is only 72 cents. This shows in a striking way that the great ma- 
jority of the terrapins marketed are undersized, and that the result 
to the State is a projoortionate loss. 

Generally speaking, the average ]irice is found to be higher £or the 
northern and middle counties, such as Dare and Carteret, than for 
the southern counties, as Onslow, Pender, and Brunswick. 



OZ EC02sOMIC VALUE OF DIA3I(3XD-BACK TERRAPIN. 

Altlioiigii the terrapin fishery of this State is not now an extensive 
industry, it is worthy of note that whatever the returns from it may 
amount to, they are praetieally so much clear profit. 'No outlay is 
required for special boats nv nets. Even where pens are used, little 
attention is given them (too little!) and almost no expense is in- 
curred, lu some places fishermen may devote their time for a few 
days to hunting terrapins, but about Beaufort, at any rate, the great 
majority are taken by chance, while searching for fish or sliell-fish. 
The chance specimen is taken home and sold to some fish-dealer, who 
]nits it aside mitil a sulficient nundMn" have accumulated to justify 
a shipment. The term "industry" as applied to the collecting and 
shipping of terrapins is almost a misnomer. 

The high market value of the form, with the fact that its generous 
yield is almost without cost to the beneficiaries, makes the form of 
peculiar interest to the State, and it is im]iortant that we shonld 
consider the ontlook for this fishery and whether or not any measures 
nniy be taken for its preservation and develojnnent. 

THE OUTLOOK FOR THE TERRAPIN INDUSTRY. 

The former abundance of the t('i'i-a]fin in Xorth Carolina waters 
and its present scarcity have already l»een discussed. This scarcity 
makes the outlook for the future particularly serious, for two rea- 
sons : 

1. The terrapin has not the power to regain its hold within a few 
years, as the oyster or the clam might do. Each female lays but a 
few eggs and the young that hatch from them undergo many perils. 
Those that survive the (hmgers of early life are slow to reach the 
stage where they may start another generation, and before reaching 
this stage they may be captured and sold at a small ])rice. 

2. The terrapin gets no o])])ortiuiity to re-establish itself. Though 
they are now so scarce tliat it rarely pays to liunt them, yet the 
market value is sucli that no chance individual observed will be 
passed by. In the exhaustive search of our waters for clams, oysters, 
crabs, and fish, indi\'iduals are not infrequently found, and thus the 
work of extermination ])roceeds without check. Exhaustiou of the 
fishery is inevitable, unless some legislative provision be made for 
its preser\'ation. 

Ouly two metlioils of ]irotection suggest themselves. The one is 
propagation ; the other, eifective restriction of tlie fishery. 



ECOXOJMIC VALUE OF DIAMOXD-BACK TERRAPIN. 53 

In regard to the first method, it is iiii]K)ssil)le at this time to say 
^vhether or not breeding of terrapins will become generallv practica- 
ble. Thns far no business venture in this direction has been entirely 
snccessfnl. The chief stnnibling-blocks seem to have b^'en : 

1. The failure to get terrapins to breed satisfactorily in the close 
confinement usually offered. 

2. The want of knowledge of the habits of the young and the con- 
ditions necessary for their development. 

The experiments of the Bureau of Fisheries have removed some 
of the difficulties, but until the experiments have reached a further 
stage, a decision cannot be rendered as to the ]n-aeticabilitv of propa- 
gation. We may, therefore, say that the only present visible hope 
for the preservation of the terrapin fishery lies in the restriction of 
the fishery. 

LEGISLATION RELATING TO TERRAPIN INDUSTRY. 

The present laws of the State for the ]n'oteetioii of the terrapin 
industry as given in the Kevisal of 1!)05 of the Laws of Xorth Caro- 
lina are as follows : 

2369. Use of Drag-'nets by Non-residents for Catching Terrapins For- 
bidden. —If any jierson who is not a citizen and who has not resided 
in the State continuously for the preceding twd years shall use any 
drag-net or other instrument for catching terrapin he shall be guilty 
of a misdemeanor. 

Code. ss. 3375, 337G. 

2370. Diamond-back Terrapin Protected.— If any person shall take 
or catch any diamond-back terrapin between the fifteenth day of April 
and tlie fifteenth day of August of any year, or any diamond-back 
terrapin at any time of less size than five inches in length upon the 
bottom shell, or sliall interfere with, or in any manner destroy any 
eggs of the diamond-back terrapin, he shall be guilty of a misde- 
meanor, and shall be fined not less than five dtillnrs nor more than 
ten dollars for each and every diamond-back terrapin so taken or 
caught, and a like sum for each and every cgsx interfered with or 
destroyed : Provided , this section shall not apply to parties empow- 
ered by the State to pro])agate the said diamond-liack terrapin; and 
the possession of any diamond-back terra]nn between the fifteenth 
days of April and August shall be prima f<trir evidence that the per- 
son having the same has violated this section. It shall be the duty of 



54 econojmic value of diamoxd-back teerapix. 

all .slicriifs and constables to liivc immediate information to some 
justice of the peace of any \-iolation of this section. 
Code, s. 3377; ISDO, e. GS^ ; 18S1. e, 115, s.s. 1, 6. 

Idle provisions of this lav are very g-ood, and had they been even 
reasonably well enforced, the terrapins would now be far mc-re 
abun<lant and more valuable to the State. My way of improvement, 
the closed season could well he leuiitliened. As the sellinii' season in 
the markets of the larger cities closes ly law at an earlier date, the 
terrapins captured late in March or in April will either be sold for 
a very small price or will be ])enned until the next fall. In the 
latter event, the young that might have been produced in summer 
are lost to the future of the s[)ecies. Furthermore, as wc have seen, 
terrapins may come from hibernation early in j\Iarch, and mating 
})rol)ablv takes ])lace xvvy so(_»n after coming out. It is strongly 
advisable to leave tliem undisturbed during this period, wlien they 
are doubtless more easily taken than at other times. A closed 
season of six ( <;) months may be recommended to begin March 1st 
and (dose August .'list. 

The most seidous did'ect of the ])resent law is that it is absolutely 
unenforced. It will l)e no gain to lengthen the closed season if ade- 
quate provision be not made for the strict enforcement of the jirovis- 
ions of the law. This problem of enforcement of the terrapin law is 
peculiarly difficult, as a terra})in worth over a didlar to the fisherman 
and twice as much to the shi])per may be carrie<l in the pocket, and 
several hundred dollars worth of terrapins would hardly cover the 
bottom of a hogshead. The conditions may thus be summed up as 
follows : 

1. The present law i< ignored. It is extremely doubtful if a single 
terra] tin taken at any time is ever discarded unless so small as to be 
valueless. 

2. Almost everv violator is in favor of the enf(U"cenient of the 
law, ]»rovided it be enforced against all. 

;5. Only a most rigid enforcement will accomplish anytliing. It 
is ])e(ndiarly easy to conceal violations of laws restricting the ca])ture 
of terrapins. 

4. The future of the terrainn fishery in the light of present infor- 
mation is absolutely conditioned on effective State protection. 

(liven these conditions, what measures can be taken to relieve 
them '( One or two suggestions mav be made. 



ECONOMIC VALUE OF DIAMOXD-BACK TEIJRAPIX. 

The enforccnient of the terrapin hiw^ may be assiiiiied to some 
officer who shall be responsible for the enforcement of said laws. It 
would not be necessary to have a special officer for the terrapin, but 
this duty could be assigned to a commission which should be charged 
with the enforcement of all the fishery laws, except such as are now 
assigned to the Oyster Commission. 

Another possible provision presents some objections, bat is a feature 
of the Baltimore law and seems to be approved by market-men, not 
because of its inherent qualities, but because it accomplishes the 
desired end as nothing else would do. This is a provision that one- 
half of the fines shall go to the informer. Such a provision has been 
used in Xorth Carolina, being included in Chai^ter 104, Laws of 
1SS9, by which section 3377 of The Code of 1S83 was re-enacted 
for Brunswick County. 

Further strength might be given the law l)y making it illegal for 
any person or company to receive or have for transportation under- 
sized terrapins ; also by making the possession of eggs or of under- 
sized terrapins, or of any terrapins during the closed season, illegal, 
instead of, as now, " pr'niui facie evidence of violation of the law.'' 

SUMMARY. 

The southern terra] )ins have in recent years attained a much 
hio-her relative value in the city markets, and this applies particu- 
larly to diamond-l)acks from Xorth Carolina. This form was once 
quite abundant in this State, but is now approaching extermination. 
Although terrapins are too scarce to be hunted except in rare in- 
stances, the work of exliaustion proceeds without check, as every 
chance specimen is marketed. 

The only visilile ho]ie for the industry lies in the restriction of 
the fishery. 

The present laws are absolutely ignored. 

It is recommended that the present laws be modified by extending 
the closed season to six months (]\rarch 1st to August 31st), l)y mak- 
ing it ''illegal" (1) to have a terrapin in possession during the 
closed season; (2) to have undersized terrapins at any season; (3) 
or to receive or have in charge for transportation or for any other 
purpose undersized terrapins. 

Improvement of the law is useless unless adequate ]u-ovision be 
made for ric'id enforcement. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

OTHER EORMS OF TURTLES (CHELOAnA) AT 
BEAUFORT, ?s^ C. 

DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA, OR TRUCK-BACK TURTLE. 

The species T)('nn()c]ii'J//s roriarra (XixudcWi), cominmilv known 
as the truck-l)aek nv leather turtle, is the only turtle includetl in this 
list of which the wrilcr has nut collected or seen a specimen at IJeau- 
fort. Occasional specimens are known to have been taken, es]",e- 
ciallv in former years "when the large nets were used at Cape Lookout. 
^Ir. II. n. ]]rindcy, (hirator of the State !^[useum, states that a speci- 
men in the Museum at Raleigh, ca})tured near Deaufort on ^lax 27, 
1897, weighed ahout S(l() ])ounds. 

CHELONE MYDAS (L.), OR GREEN TURTLE. 

This turtle, known locally as ''green turth-" or "chicken turtle" 
(when young) and ranking ne^xt in valne to the "'tortoise-shell turtle" 
or (proper) hawkshill turtle, was common at Beaufort in former 
years, but its visits have hec<:tme less and less frequent until now the 
capture of a gTcen turtle near Beaufort is a rare occurrence. Oidy 
one has Iveen obtained by the Laboratory; a small specimen being 
taken by hand in a "creek"' in the marshes of Xewport River near 
Harlow Creek, July 6, 1905. Mr. J. IT. Potter advises me that the 
last specimen he has seen or shipped was in the late summer of 1902 
(weight 55 pounds), but that in former times they were sometimes 
shi]i])ed by the barrel, and it was seldom diificult in summer to ob- 
tain them. It is said that the best ]dace to find them inside the 
harl)or was between the ]\Iiddle Marshes and Bottle Run Point of 
Shakleford Banks, but that the largest catches were made at the 
(/a])e, where one hundred were sometimes taken at a time, to be sold 
to shippers at about 15 cents each. The meat has now a market value 
of about 15 to 25 cents or more ]ier ]>ound. The exhanstiA'e fishery 
in more southern waters and the despoiling of the nests f(^r the eggs 
doubtless aeeounts for their present scarcity. 

The young of this turtle are called, l<)cally, "chicken-turtles," and 
the great majority of those taken at Beaufort were young forms. I 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE XVII. 





OTIIEE FORMS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT. 



57 



am indebted to ^Mr. J. H. Potter for inforination that the two hivgest 
specimens obtained by him weighed, respectively, l.")() and SO pounds. 
The specimen brought to the Laljoratory, an immature female, is 
shown in PI. XVII, A and B. While ke])t in an aquarium at the 
Laboratory for more than a month, it was fed chiefly on fiddler-crabs. 
The measurements (using tapeline and following curvature of shell) 
were : 

MEASUREMENTS OF GBEEN TURTLE. 



Length of carapace 

Greatest breadth between margins- 
Measured over carapace 

Measured under plastron 

Length of plastron 

Length of head from tip of snout to posterior 
end of supraoccipital 

Breadth of head 



13 inches (12.6).' 

11.1 inches (10.5). 
11.9 inches. 
10.5 inches. 

3.3 inches. 
2.1 inches. 



The shell, head and flippers of this turtle are in the museum of 
the Laboratory at Beaufort, N. C. 

KEMP'S GULF TURTLE, THALASSOCH ELYS, COLPOCHELYS, KEMPII 

(GARMAN ). 

At the present time the most abundant marine turtles at Beaufort 
are the loggerhead sea-turtle and Kemp's Gulf turtle. The latter is 
known locally as the IIaAvksl:>ill, which, however, is an unfortunate 
desigTiation, since this name is generally applied to the tortoise-shell 
turtle [EretmocheJys imhricata (L.)]. This local misnomer for 
Kemp's Gulf turtle is probably the basis for the undoubted error of 
some writers of including Xorth Carolina within the range of Eret- 
moclielys. Kemp's turtle is common about Beaufort and doubtless 
along the whole Atlantic coast, but has received almost no attention 
from herpetologists, even escaping Holbrook's notice. 

This species (Kemp's Gulf turtle) was described by Garman in 
ISSOf from "a pair of fine specimens" furnished by Eichard M. 
Kemp of Florida. Baur, in 18SG. published a few osteological notes 
on these specimens and one other. :J; I know of no other descriptive 

* The two measurements in parentheses were taken with calipers. 

t Samuel Garman, "On Certain Species of ChelonicidEe," bulletin of Museum of Comparative 
Zoology, Vol. VI. No. 6, Cambridge, 1880, pp. 123-4. 

t Baur, G., "Osteologische Notizen uber Reptilien," Anat., Aug., 1888, pp. 423-4. 



58 OTHER FOKMS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT. 

notes of tliis turtle, and the photographs here reproduced (PI. XVIII, 
A and B) are helieved to be the first tig'ures of the turtle published. 
In connection with these figures it may be well to give a brief descrip- 
tion of the turtle. Garmau makes no reference to color and does not 
take account of the possible variability of the turtle in some important 
j)oiuts. The description wliich follows, while based on Garman's ac- 
count, is supplemented from observation of Beaufort specimens. 

The body is depressed, short, broad, subcircular, with a slight con- 
cavity over the lateral marginal plates of the carapace and without 
the ])romineut rounded hump on the vertebral series over the pelvis 
or shoulder girdle, as in T. caouana (T. carcfta). Head is interme- 
diate in size between that of T. caouana and that of Cliclonia mydas, 
and the crown is slightly convex. Looking from al)Ove, the outline 
of the face is much more convex than in either of the sjxcies cited. 

Jaws are without serrations; lower outlines of upper jaw forming 
a sigiuoid curve descending to a sliarj) point at the symphysis, upper 
edge of lower jaw concave, curving u])ward to a j)oint at the sym- 
physis. (The shape of the jaws gives rise to the local name "llawks- 
bill"). 

The horny scutes oi the carapace are somewhat variable in number 
and shape, as is the case with T. caretta; but the following descrip- 
tion will lie approximately correct: 

The michal is very short and wide, hexagonal and shortest in mi<l- 
dle ; the voichrnh are narrow, width of first a little greater than 
length, second and third almost rectangular, fourth narrowing pos- 
teriorly ; a small "sn])ernnmerary" scute may intervene between 
fonrth and fifth (present in two of four shells examined In- me) ; 
fifth wide and subtriangular, the truncated apex directed anteriorly. 

Costals, T), the antci'ior small. 

]\[ar(//iiaJs, 2(5 (exclusive of nuchal) ; the anterior marginals very 
imrrow, l)ecoining wi<ler from the fonrth; eighth to twelfth subequal, 
the caudal ]);ur wider ( antero-])osteriorly), the greater width being 
gained, not l)y ]U'ojecting Ijeyond the general outline, but by indent- 
ing the base of the last vertebral. In two of my specimens there are 
14 marginals on one side; in one of these, 2 scutes of the left side 
corresiiond to the single foni'th of the right side; in tlie other, the 
second, third, and fourth of the left side are represented l)y 4 scutes 
on the riiiht. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE XVIII. 




A AND B. KKMP'.S GULF TURTLE, LENGTH OF CARAPACE 12.8 INCHES. 



OTHER FORMS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT. 



59 



Posterior paddles with 2 nails, anterior with 1, this being the case 
in my specimens; Garmau says ''each with two nails/' Xails of 
anterior paddles are doubtless variable with age and individuals. 
Maro-ins more or less indented between the digits. 

The ratio of the measurements of breadth in this turtle wlien the 
tapeline lies over the carapace or under the plastron, contrasts sig- 
nificantly with the corresponding ratio in the case of the green turtle. 
Thus in our specimen of Clielone (see above, p. 5(i), the ventral 
measurement exceeds the dorsal by 7 per cent, that is, the body is 
fuller below the margins of the carapace than above ; while in two 
live specimens of T. Inn pi i (see below) the reverse is the case, for the 
dorsal measurements exceed the ventral by 10 and 12 per cent, re- 
spectively. The underside is, in fact, almost flat. The median 
region of plastron arches inwards somewhat from gulars to poste- 
rior end. 

The upperside is of a rather uniform dark, dull olive color, except 
that carapace and flippers are margined with yellowish white, espe- 
cially the anterior margins of flippers. Dorsal side of bases of limbs 
are more or less greenish white. Underside yellowish or greenish 
white, except near outer ends of paddles, where a dark mouse-color 
prevails. 

Garman rates some of the distingTiishing characters of this turtle 
as of more than specific importance, and, according them a subgeneric 
value, proposes the subgenus ColpocheJi/s. 

The measurements of four specimens witli tn])eline wore as fol- 
lows : 

MEASUREME]\TS OF KEMP'S GULF TURTLE. 





1 


2 
Inches. 


3 


4 




Inches. 


Inches. 


Inches. 




15 


14.2 


13.5 


12.8 


Greatest breadth measured over carapace 


15 


14.4 


13.5 


13.4 


Greatest breadth measured under plas- 
tron. 






12.3 
9.9 


11.9 
9.7 


11.3 


10.5 








4.6 


4.5 








3.1 


2.8 









Measurements of 1 and 2 from preserved shell ; 3 and 4 from live 
specimens. 'No. -l represented in photogTaphs, PI. XVIIT, A and B. 



60 OTHER F0K:\IS of turtles at BEAUFORT. 

It may be noted that tlie leiiiitli and Jireadth (ineasnred over curvature 
of carapace) are equal, or the breadth a little greater. The measure- 
ments of Garmau's specimeus, both "quite aged/' were: (1) AVidth 
aud length equal, 20 inches; (2) width 29 inches, length 28. 

Distribution.— Ivegarding the distribution of this turtle, Garman 
merely states, "found in the Gulf of Mexico,''' and, in a later publica- 
tion,^^ "northeastern part of the Gulf of j\rexico."' Its connnon 
occurrence at Beaufort during the warmer months is, therefore, of 
especial interest. 

While the loggerhead sea-turtle lays commoidy on the beach near 
Beaufort, the nests of Kemp's turtle are not known there. Garman 
quotes from Mr, Kemp : "We know that they come to the beach to 
lay in the mouths of December, -January, and February." At this 
season, turtles are, of course, absent from the region of Beaufort. 

This habit of laying in winter ( if correctly given) makes this 
turtle quite remarkable among the sea-turtles of this coast. And, 
since it is ^\'ortlly of comment that two such closely related species as 
Iccmpii and earcUd should be practically co-extensive in range, and 
sliould breed in the same regions (as the waters of southern Flori<la), 
this difference of breeding habit may suggest the possible means of 
isolation of the two forms in past times. 

In Florida, the name "bastard" is a]iplied to Kemp's turtle — "said 
to be a cross Ixdween the green and loggerhead" ( Garnuin). 

The turtle has no ])resent market value, though its meat, eaten at 
Beaufort, is considered much less coarse than that of the loggerhead, 
and even as good as that of the green turtle. It is not impossible that 
this sjX'cies may have a potential economic '^'alue. It is hoped that 
this notice may lead to the gaining of fui'ther information regarding 
the distribution and habits of an interesting but strangely overlooked 
species. 

THE LOGGERHEAD SEA-TURTLE, THALASSOCH ELYS CARETTA (L). 

The loggerhead sea-turtle (PI. XIX, fig. 1) is not uncommon at 
Beaufort and is taken quite frequently in the ]ioniid-nets (»f Pandieo 
Sound. AVliile it has no market value for shi])ment, it has a small 
local value, for the animal is quartered and the meat used as food. 



"Reptiles of Bermuda," Part VI of Vol. I of Bulletin of U. S. N. M., No. 25, 1884, p. 301. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE XIX. 



''^YM'.,i^l.^]i,i.,. 11 



', \ 




FIG. 1. L0GGP:RHKAL) SEA-TIIRTI.E (TH AI.ASSOCHELVS CARETTA (l) ). 




FIG. 2. NEW-BORN LOGGERHEAD SEA-TURTLES. FIG. o. HEADS (IF EMBRYO AND OF 2 NEW- 
BORN LOGGERHEAD SEA-TURTLES. FIG. 4. EMBRYOS OF LOGGERHEAD SEA-TI'RTLES. 



OTIIEK FORMS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT, 61 

The loggerhead has, however, an especial interest in \"iew of the 
fact that the turtles not uncommonly crawl up on the l^each along 
this region of the coast to lay their eggs. Thus, o|)portunity is 
iifForded for the jDursuit of embryological studies or for experiments 
^vith the incubation of the eggs of sea-turtles. 

Laying Habits.— The laying season, beginning the latter part of 
]\Iay, extends into August. 

The nests seem to be made at night, for the sign by which a nest 
is located is the fresh track found in the early morning leading from 
the edge of the water to the point where the eggs were laid. ISTot 
infrequently the course of the track shows that the turtle returned 
to the water without depositing eggs, and thus there may or may not 
be indications that a nest was started. Sometimes, in such cases, 
another track will be found not far away leading to an actual nest. 

Early in the morning the nests are sought by a few fishermen who 
value the eggs to eat or to sell for that purpose at 5 cents per dozen. 
A sharp stick is carried with which to probe into suspected places. 
If the end of the probe, when withdrawn, is smeared with yolk, a 
nest has been located. Sometimes they are destroyed by hogs ; and 
nests have been found with only fragments of shell and yolk strewn 
about. During the day the tracks are liable t<:) be olditerated by tide 
and wind, and sometimes by rain, so that nests that are n(^t found on 
the following day are usually safe from molestation, at least by man. 

Unfortunately, the laying region is not readily accessible from the 
Laboratory. The nests found were from 5 to l-i miles west of Fort 
]\[acon ; and, because of this and the conditions mentioned in the 
preceding paragraph, a collecting trip meant an early morning walk 
on the beach of 10 or more miles and back. If the tri]") was successful, 
1 or 2 nests were found, but oftener the search was fruitless. For 
lack of time to devote exclusively to this purpose, the writer was 
forced to rely chiefly on a reliable collector who would make the 
daily search and bring the eggs to the Laboratory, with information 
as to depth, temperature, and location. 

The notes that follow were almost all made during the su.mmer of 
1905 ; though a few records were made during previous seasons. 
Data for wdiich the writer is not personally responsible are excluded, 
except where given with ]u'o|)er qualifications. 



G2 other foems of tuiitles at beaufoet. 

Laying Season.— In 11J05 ciia,s Avcre taken on the f<>n<>\virig' dates: 
June 14th ( i^ nests), loth, l!>th, i^Tth, (2 nests), liDth, 30th, -Inly sth 
(2 nests), loth (2 iicst^ and signs observiMl ef 2 (ithers dcslroyed hy 
hogs), 22(1 (2 nests), and 2Sr]i. On ]\[ay 31st I was reliably in- 
ffirnied of nests ioniid dni'ing the ]H'ecediiig week, ^Nfay 21-27, and, 
later, of a nest dug ah<;»nt Jnne r)th ; but eolleeting tri]»s on the Hth 
and 10th Avcrc fruitless. Tn 1003 nests ^-ere re]iorted, a few days 
before and after -Tune 14th, and I dng one <»n Jidy !*th. in l!)04 
nests Avere rcjidrted Jidy 24th and on Angnst r)th eggs were brought 
l>y a tislii'rnian, who reported tlie finding of 4 nests, two of which 
had lieen (h'stroyed by hogs. The laying season near Beaufort ] proba- 
bly begins in ^lay and nuiy extend into August, but is chiefly Jnne 
and July. 

Number of Egg's.— In 7 nests the following nund)er of eggs Avere 
counted resiiectively : lis, 123, 12S, 143, IKi, ir)2. ^^u■ion^^ other 
nnnd)( rs were reported l:)y a lishernnin who br()ught eggs to the Labo- 
ratory. Jn one ease he brought 42 eggs, and reported (JO as the nuni- 
Ix'r found in the nest. 

Form of Nests.— The to]) eggs were about 1-! inches below the sur- 
face (12, 12, 12V^', 13, 13 and ir» incdies being the actual measnre- 
nients in <> nests). The nuiss of eggs, being froni 8 to 12 or more 
incdies deep, the lowest eggs were from 20 to 2<) inches below the sur- 
face. In one instance the eggs were renii •\'cd vrithont destroying the 
shape of tjic hole. The space occujded liy tlic eggs was sub-spherical 
with flat to]), and was 10 inches in diameter by s inches dee]i. This 
nest contained only 123 eggs. 

The changes of temjieratnre at sudi a d('j)th during tlie course of 
tlie day Avere not followed, but, when the nests were taken — time of 
day varying from to 11 A. ]\r. — the tem])eratures noted showed 
little difl'crences, varying from 261/.° fo 28° C. Sand taken from the 
side of one nest was found to contain 3.S ])cv cent of water. 

Location of Nests.— In the cases of about S nests observe<l by the 
writer, an<l in e\'erv other case, so fai" as known, the nests were located 
either just below or just on the foot of the slo])es of the steep sand- 
dunes rlnit line the beadi on B()gue ]!anks. Hence the distance of 
nests from the water varied considerably. The elevation of the nests 
above the Avater-lcN'cl also varied considerably. Without means of 
making accurate ol)servations from a flxed bencdi-mark, a s]nrit levcd 
and \ertical rod were used to measure the a])])roximate elevations of 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE XX. 




FRESHLY LAID EGGS OF LOGGERHEAD SEA-TURTLE. 
CHICKEN EGGS. 



THE THREE LOWER ONES ARE 




B, EGGS OF LOGGERHEAD 



3EA-TURTLE AFTER INCUBATION FOR A PERIOD IN AN 
ARTIFICIAL NEST. 



OTIIEK FOPaiS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT. 63 

these nests. For 3 elevations taken the same day, a distinct line on 
the beach made by a recent very high tide was used as a base. The 
elevation of the surface of the ground at the nest, above the base line, 
was found to be in one case 4.75 feet, in a second 5.7 feet, and in a 
third 6.3 feet. The lowest eggs in these nests would thus be from 
2.75 to 4.3 feet, roughly, above the level of a very high tide. The 
surface of the gTOuncl at another nest was washed by a very high tide, 
while I was present; yet the eggs from this nest, marked and left, 
hatched very successfully. The base of the sand-dunes, and not the 
distance above water, seemed to be the chief factor in determining the 
location of the nest. Almost all of the nests were made, however, in 
regions where this location would be not very distant from the edge 
of the water. 

The nests were found along the beach from the region of Hoop 
Hole Camp (5 miles west of Fort Macon) to about 4 miles west of 
the "Old Steamer" (a local landmark formed by a wreck situated 
about 10 miles west of Fort Macon). The search was not continued 
farther west. 

Thus, the conditions at the various nests were rather uniform as 
regards : 

Location at foot of dunes. 

Depth and form of nest. 

Time of laying, in so far as all nests were probably made at night. 

They were variable, however, in respect to : 

Elevation above watcrdevel. 

Distance from watcrdine on beach. 

!N^umber of eggs laid. 

Date of laying (May to August). 

The Egg.— PI. XX, A, shows the size and shape of these eggs as 
compared with the eggs of the common fowl. The shells are calca- 
reous, but soft, and, as the contents do not completely fill the shell, 
there is alwaj's a dent in the egg. Often in course of the develop- 
ment of transplanted eggs, after the formation of the embryonic 
membranes, water is taken in through the shell, completely filling it 
out, so that the egg becomes spherical. The shell may thus become 
tightly distended and much enlarged ; if many eggs in a nest become 
so distended, great inter-pressure results and the eggs become dis- 
torted in shape (PI. XX, B). 



G-i OTIIEK F()i^M.S OF TURTLES AT BEAUFOKT. 

Incubation.— Many of the eggs obtained were replanted on the 
ishind, and, while it is not the pnr])ose to give in this place the de- 
tails regarding the inenbation experiments, it may be said that the 
trans])lanting of the eggs seemed in every ease detrimental. The 
trans] )lanted eggs, though handled with mnch care, nsiially went bad, 
(n\]y a small ])er cent developing. Somewhait better snccess was 
obtained from the nse of an extemporized "incnbator" (a donble box 
with six inches of sand between the walls all around), in which the 
temperature an<l moisture conditions could be kept fairly uniform 
('■2i'>-'--2S 1-3° C. =79°-S3'"" F.). On one occasion the temperature 
went as low as -o l-^"" C, on another as high as 20° C. 

The best per cent of development in any of the artiiicial nests was 
shown by a lot of 72 eggs in the inculiator, from which at various 
times (12th to 31st day) 54 live embryos were obtained; thus 75 per 
cent <if the eggs examined contained live embryos. From 51 eggs of 
the same original nest ;is the al)ove lot, but r('|)lanted in the ground, 
2S live embryos were obtained ( 12tli to IGth days), or 55 per cent. 
The per cent of hatched turtles would i)robably have been less in each 
case. Only one nest was left as made by the turtle. In this case, the 
nest was ])rotected hy a sheet of wire netting, 30 inches square, placed 
in the sand al;)out 3 inches above the eggs. Around the margin of the 
netting, strips of board extended 3 inches vertically below the wire. 
For greater security against destruction l)y hogs, 8 legs were driven 
into the sand and then nailed to the frame. This nest was examined 
on the STtli day; and only 2 ULnhatched eggs were found. Just 
])eneath the wire were 20 live and 47 dead turtles, besides the morti- 
iied remains of a nundier of others. The percentage that hatched in 
this natural nest was, there' fore, very high. 

In the nests in the earth the exact date of hatching was not usually 
determine<l, for the turtles do not come to the surface immediately, 
and it was not desiral)le to <1isturl:) the nests often. Some hatched on 
the 73d (hiy, others re(]uired a longer time. In the incudiator, where 
devel<i])ment ]iroceeded more slowly, the lirst turtle was observed 
hatching on tlie .S3d day, others were out l)y the SStli, and two were 
later. 

The young did not live long in aquaria (5 to 45 days), and while 
kept, they ate small bits of oysters. 

PI. XIX, iig. 1, shows a logo-crhead turtle taken in Pains Bay, 
Dare (Viunty (on the northwest side of Pamlico Sound). Specimens 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE XXL 





FIGS. 1 AND 2, COMMON SNAPPING-TURTLE. LOCAL SWAMP TURTLE. 




FIG. 3, SIDE VIEW OF SAME. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14. PLATE XXH. 




A. COMMON MUD-TURTLE. KINOSTERNON PENNSYLVANICUM. 





B, YELLOW-BELLIED TERRAPIN. PSEUDEMY.S SCRIPTA SCHOPF. 



N. C. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIN 14, PLATE XXIIL 




A, GROUP OF BOX TURTLES. TERRAPKNE CAROLINA. 




B, SPECKLED TORTOISE, CLEMMYS GUTTATUS. SCHNEIDER. 



OTHER FORMS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT. 05 

found are usually covered ^vitll barnacles as in the pliotograpli. A 
loggerhead kept for a while in an aquarium at the Laboratory ate 
heartily — blue crabs ur "sand dollars" (Jlcllild). Enil)ryo and new- 
born turtles are shown respectively in ligs. 2 and -i of PI. XIX. 
The sharp point on the snout with which the turtle breaks through 
the shell may Ijc seen in fig. 3 of PI. XIX; the head at the left is 
that of an endnwo ( ('>3d day), on which the bealv has not yet become 
sharp. 

It is intended to submit at another time further details regarding 
incubation and development. 

LAND AND FRESH-WATER TURTLES. 

While special eiiVirt was not made to collect the land and fresh- 
water turtles, a note nuiy be added as to the species tliat came under 
obser^-ation. 

Common Snapping -Turtle.— Of the Chcli/drlchi', the common snap- 
ping-turtlc, CJicJi/dra serpent iiia (L.), is the connnon "swamp-tur- 
tle" of the fresh-water ])onds. A nund^er of specimens were sent to 
the Laboratory from Wit, a point on Core Sound. This species has 
a market value, though perhaps not sufficient to justify its being 
shipped to market from a considerable distance. The specimen repre- 
sented in figs. 1, -2, and 3, PI. XXI, measured 7.7 inches, length of 
carapace. 

Common Mud-Turtle.— The Tu'iiosfcrnidfV are represented by tlie com- 
mon mud-turtle, Kinostenion pcimsijlvcDilciuu (Bosc), alumdant in 
ditches and muddy streams ab(nit Beaufort. It is interesting that 
this turtle was lV)und to b(^ common on the brackish marshes about 
Pamlico Sound, at least near Pains Bay. A of PI. XXII shows the 
ventral sides of 2 specimens. 

Of the EmdicJce there are at least three representatives, besides 
Malndemmjis centra/a. One specimen of Pseudnm/s sci'ipfa Schopf, 
the ••yellow-bellied terrapin," Avas brought to tlie Laboratory from the 
back country near Beaufort, the locality of ca])ture unknown. The 
2 figs. B, PI. XXII, show, respectively, the dorsal and ventral aspects 
of the shell. Clcmiiti/s gutiahis (Schn.), the speckled tortoise, or 
"lady terrapin" (PI. XX III, B), is very cunmon. Tcvvapcne Caro- 
lina (L.), the common box-turtle (PI. XXIII, A), is found in the 
woods. 



66 OTIIEIJ FOimS OF ITRTLES AT BEAUFOKT. 

The Tnoiti/r/iuhr and the Tcsl tKliituhv seem to be the only Ameri- 
can families not represented at ]]eanfort, and there may be some 
(hjiibt in regard to the T/'ioni/cliida'. Of those re2)resented, all ex- 
cept the Beniiochcli/dida' ( s])ecimens of which are rare at any point 
on onr coast) haye representatiyes that arc connnon. 

OTHER TURTLES REPORTED FROM EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 

In this connection, reference may be made to Uvo other turtles 
sometimes supposed to occur about Beaufort. For the distribution of 
ErchnoclicJiis hiihricald (]..), the true "hawksbiir' or tortoise-shell 
turtle, Jordan giyes "Xortli Carolina to Brazil." Perhaps this is 
based in part on True's statement on page 150 of "Aquatic Bcptiles 
and Batrachians of the United States" (189o), that this turtle "is 
occasionally brought to our markets from Xortli Carolina." The 
account of the distribution of this turtle given by True on the preced- 
ing page (p. 149) seems to imply that the southern coast of Florida 
is the northern region of its distribution. Flolbrook, quoted by True, 
records the finding of a single specimen on the coast of Carolina (pre- 
sumably South Cai'olitia). His words are: "found only at the ex- 
treme soutliern ]*oinrs of the United States; once only I knew a iine 
specimen driven to the shores of Carolina during an equinoctial 
storm." I am indebted to Dr. Stejneger, of the U. S. ^National 
Museum, for the following statements: "I can lind no definite refer- 
ence to a specimen of EretmocJielys iinhricdin from Xorth Caro- 
lina. * "' '■■■ In the manuscript cards gi\ing distrilnition of this 
species, there is no reference to I^orth Carolina" ; and to Mr. H. II. 
Brimley, of the State ]\[useum at lialeigh, X. C, for the informa- 
tion that he has not been able to obtain a specimen or to learn of its 
occurrence in Xorth (Airolina. In the absence of any authentic 
record, therefore, this State should not be included within the range 
of distribution of Ei-chnoclicli/s. The error in yjreyious statements 
has, doubtless, arisen from the unfortunate application in Xorth Car- 
olina of the name 'diawksbill" to Kemp's Gulf turtle. 

The other species referred to is Aspidonecics ferox Schw. (one of 
the soft-shelled turtles) which Coues and Yarrow (1S7S) note as 
"tolerably common in fresh-water streams of mainland." This turtle 
does not seem to be known to inhabitants of Beaufort, whose atten- 
tion it would undoubtedly have attracted if it were "common." The 
fact that Beaufort is so far east of the regions this turtle is known to 



OTHER FORMS OF TURTLES AT BEAUFORT. 67 

inhabit suggests that in some way a mistake occurred. But the river 
swamps of eastern Carolina (north and south) have been little ex- 
plored from a zoological standpoint; and my brother has informed 
me of the finding of soft-shelled turtles in the Pecdee River swani]i 
near Society Hill, South Carolina, the peculiarity of which attracted 
much local attention. Mr. Brimley wi-ites : ''We have a specimen in 
the Museum caught in ISTeuse Eiver, this county (Wake) ; but as two 
were turned into a pond from which the stream runs into ISTeuse 
River and not long afterwards the dam broke, and this capture Avas 
subsequent to the breaking of the dam, it is perhaps too much to 
regard the soft-shelled turtle as an inhabitant of these waters on this 
evidence." Hence Cones and Yarrow may well have observed these 
turtles near Beaufort, and been led to suppose that they were com- 
mon inhabitants of the region. 



PUBLICATIONS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



BULLETIXS. 



1. Iron Ores of North Carolina, by Henry B. C. Nilze. 1893. 8°, 239 pp.. 20 
pi., and map. I'ovtugv Hi vents. 

2. Buildin,!,' Stone in North Carolina, by T. L. Watson and F. B. Laney in 
collahoratidn w itli (Jeori^'c 1'. :Merrill. S°. US:; pp., :V1 pi.. 2 liiis. I'(jst(i;/r 23 
cents. ClotJi-lioiiinJ eoitji 30 cents e.rtni. 

3. Gold Deposits in North Carolina, by Henry B. C. Nitze and George B. 
rianna. 189('.. 8°, 19() pp., 14 pi., and map. Out of print. 

4. lioad ^Material and Koad Construction in Nortli Camlina, by J. A. Holmes 
and William Cain. 1803. 8°, 88 pp. Out of print. 

5. The Forests, Forest Lands and Forest Products of Eastern Nortli Caro- 
lina, by W. W. Ashe. 1894. 8^ 128 pp.. '. pi. Postaiie 3 cents. 

0. The Timber Trees of North Carolina, liy Gilford Pinchot and W. W. Ashe, 
1897. 8°. 227 pp.. 22 pi. Postaije 10 cents. 

7. Forest Fires: Their Destructive Work, Causes and Prevention, by W, W. 
Ashe. 1895. 8'', (J6 pp., 1 pi. Postage 3 cents. 

8. Water-]ii»\vers in North Carolin.a. liy (ieorge F. Swain, .Joseph A. Holmes 
and E. W. Myers. 1S'.>9. 8°, 3r;2 pp., 10 pi. Post(i;/e 16 cents. 

9. Monazite and ]\[onazite Deposits in North Carolina, by Henry B. C. Nitze, 
1S95. 8°, 47 pp., .") pi. Pasta (je 'i cents. 

10. Gold ^Mining in North Carolina and other A))palachian States, by Henry 
B. C. Nitze and A. J. Wilkins. 1897. 8", 104 pp.. in pi. Postage 10 cents. 

11'. Corundum and the P.asic Magnesian Rocks of Western North Carolina, 
l)y J. Volney Lewis. 189."). ,s\ 107 pp., C, \A. Postage .'/ cents. 

12. r>rinking-water Supplies in North Carolina. Iiy .Joseph A. Holmes. In 
preparation. 

13. Clay Deposits and Clay Industries in North Carolina, by Ileinrich Reis. 
1897. 8°, 157 pp., 12 pi. Postage 10 cents. 

14. The Cultivaliou of the Diamond-back Terrajiin. by R. E. Coker, 1900. 
8°. 07 pp., 23 pi., 2 ligs. Postage 3 cents. 

15. Minera.l Waters of North Carolina, by F. P. Venal)le. In press. 

10. A List of Elevations in North Carolina, liy .1. A. Holmes and E. W. 
Myers. In preparation. 

17. Historical Sketch of North Carolina Scientific and Economic Surveys; 
and Bibliography of Nortli Carolina Geoloi^T, :Mineralogy and Natural History, 
by .J. A. Holmes and L. C. (Jlenn. In preparation. 

18. Roiid :Materials and Construction, by .loseiih A. Holmes and William 
Cain. In preparatio)}. 

19. The Tin Deposits of the Carolinas, liy .losopli Hyde Pratt and Douglass 
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20. The Loldolly Pine in Eastern North Carolina, by W. W. Ashe. In prepa- 
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ECONOMIC PAPERS. 

1. The :\Iaple-Sugar Industry in Western North Carolina, by W. W. Ashe, 
1897. 8°, 34 pp. Postage 2 cents. 



PUBLICATION'S OF THE SURVEY. 69 

2. Recent Road Legislation in Novtli Carolina, liy J. A. Holmes. Out of 
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3. Talc and Pyroiibyllite Deposits in North Carolina, by Joseph Hyde Pratt, 
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4. The Mining Industry in North Carolina During 1900. by .Josei^h Hyde 
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5. Road Laws of North Carolina, by J. A. Holmes. Out of print. 

G. The Mining Industry in North Carolina During 1901, by Joseph Hyde 
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7. Mining Industry in North Carolina During 1002, by Joseph Hyde Pratt, 
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8. The Mining Industry in North Carolina During 1903, by Joseph Hyde 
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9. The Mining Industry in North Carolina During 1904, by Joseph Hyde 
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10. Oyster Culture in North Carolina, by Robert E. Coker, 1905. S^ 39 pp. 
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11. The Mining Industry in North Carolina During 1905. by Joseph Hyde 
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12. Investigations Relative to the Shad Fisheries of North Carolina, by John 
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EEPORTS ox KESOURCES. 

Vol. 1. Corundum and the Basic Magnesian Rocks in Western North Caro- 
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Vol. 2. Fish and Fisheries in North Carolina, by II. M. Smith. In press. 

Vol. 4. Miscellaneous :\Iineral Resources in North Carolina, by Joseph Hyde 
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These publications are mailed to libraries and to individuals who may desire 
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each case applicants for the reports should forward the amount of postage 
needed, as indicated above, for mailing the bulletins desired, to the State 
Geologist, Chapel HiU. V. C. 



THE NORTH CAROLINA GEOUXiK^AL SURVEY 

" JOSEPH HYDE PRATT, State Geologist. 






BULLETIN No. 14 



THE CULTIVATION OF THE DiAMOND-BACK 

TERRAPIN 



R. E. COKER, Ph. I). 




RALEIGH : 

E. M. UzzELL & Co.. State Printers and Binders. 

1906. 



Ifior.sgrapri 



LB D 'II 



